Boeing opens a new factory in Great Britain

Among the North American planemaker's plans is to establish a new factory in the United Kingdom to build parts for the 737 MAX, 777 and 787 planes, such as slats and speed brakes.

“We are increasing production of our aircraft and want to have more control over key systems in our aircraft. We need the right quality and we want Boeing's own production,” says Michael Arthur, president of Boeing UK.

This is at least a very symbolic decision by Boeing, which has proposed manufacturing the parts at its own factory in Europe. Currently, Boeing uses the services of other companies to help assemble its aircraft, producing various structural and electrical components to feed the final assembly of its commercial aircraft, which is performed in the United States.

The permission granted allows Boeing to install a center measuring approximately 2,400 square meters in north Sheffield, close to the University of Sheffield. Funding for the development of this unit comes from the local government. Boeing currently employs around 2,300 people in the UK, working in both the civilian and military sectors.

Boeing plans to hire a team of 30 people initially, which could expand over the years. The first parts will be produced by the end of 2018. Boeing also plans to establish the UK as a training and maintenance center for military aircraft in Europe.

Boeing currently has two major contracts with the UK, one to supply the RAF with P-8 Poseidon aircraft and to modernize the Apache helicopter fleet. The cost of this entire contract could be up to £5 billion.

Meanwhile, Airbus has threatened to withdraw from the UK due to Brexit, and in January Tom Williams, Airbus's chief operating officer, said: “If I have a problem on the final assembly line in Germany or France, I can call in workers from Proton and… “Twenty mechanics will be sent to Toulouse tomorrow morning with boxes of tools to fix the problem,” he said. You don't have to wait 90 days to get a visa.”

Boeing does not seem to be bothered by the Brexit factors for the company's UK operations, on the contrary, it is looking for more partnerships in the military branch and is now also investing in the commercial aircraft branch with production in the UK. Boeing says it is not bothered by the pound exchange rate or the high wages paid to employees in the UK.

With information from the UK Telegraph.