Boeing will set up a new 787 interiors centre near the Dreamliner assembly line and delivery centre under construction in North Charleston, which should maximise the efficiency of its new South Carolina plant.
The exact location for the new interiors facility will be decided the during the third quarter, says the airframer. It will employ up to 150 staff.
Boeing says the plant will be an extension of the existing interiors centre in Everett, Washington which builds stow bins, closets, partitions, class dividers, floor-mounted stow bins used by flight attendants, overhead crew rest compartments and video control stations.
This decision is part the airframer's plan announced last year "to provide an independent sourcing stream for 787 final assembly and delivery in South Carolina". It adds that the plant's close proximity with the Charleston line will help improve the efficiency of the assembly and delivery process in South Carolina.
"By expanding Boeing's footprint in South Carolina, we enhance our existing foundation with Boeing Charleston and further contribute to the growth of aerospace in the region," says Ray Conner, who is general manager of Boeing's supply chain management and operations.
Source: Flight International
