Cessna is facing production issues with its Citation Mustang entry-level jet because of problems with suppliers affected by flooding in Rhode Island in late March.
Cessna says production has been affected since mid-May. Final assembly has been halted, although other production work continues, such as small parts assembly.
As a result of the supplier issues, about 200 workers are being affected by "rolling furloughs" that will last about five to six weeks, depending on the workgroup. Cessna expects production to return to normal in August.
The issues were revealed in May by Textron chief executive Scott Donnelly. "We have a couple of issues around supply chain - crazily enough driven by the floods in Rhode Island, which turns out to be a Mecca of suppliers for the aerospace industry." Donnelly also downplayed the effects of any production issues, saying that the Mustang represents a "small revenue margin".
Source: Flight International
