Boeing (IW 500/13) (BA) is moving production of parts for the 777X to its St. Louis facility.
In light of the announcement, Boeing will expand its St. Louis composites facility to handle the 777X parts production, which will begin in 2017.
"Placing this work in St. Louis optimizes resources, skills and technology in St. Louis and creates high technology jobs in the region," Bob Ciesla, Boeing Military Aircraft Cross-Enterprise Design/Build vice president, said in a news release.
Previously, parts for the 777 program were made by suppliers or by Boeing's overseas operations.
Work on the 777X performed in St. Louis will support production at Boeing's new 1-million-square-foot composite wing center that's under construction in Everett, Wash. Final assembly of the 777X will also take place in Everett.
"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, 777X program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "A program of this size requires that we bring together all of the talent that Boeing has to offer."
The first delivery of the 777X is expected to take place in 2020.
