EVERETT — Boeing said Monday that some parts for the 777X’s giant composite-material wings will be produced by the company in St. Louis. The equivalent parts for the 777 classic are currently made by outside suppliers in the U.S. and overseas.
To accommodate the work, Boeing said it will expand its current St. Louis composites facility, which will begin producing parts for the 777X program in 2017.
The move likely means a few hundred jobs for St. Louis, where Boeing’s defense division faces big workforce cuts as demand dwindles for two fighter jet programs — the F-15 and F-18.
The parts will be designed by the company in St. Louis, Australia and other sites, according to a news release from the aerospace giant.
“Boeing has outstanding capability, resources and experience across the company and the 777X program will leverage that skill base,” said Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of Boeing’s 777X program. “A program of this size requires that we bring together all of the talent that Boeing has to offer.”
A 1.2-million-square-foot building where the 777X wings will be produced is being built in Everett.
The company hopes to deliver the first of the new jetliner in 2020.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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