The Economy

Boeing to Lease Second Facility in Oklahoma City

March 18, 2011

Facility needed for B-1 and C-130 programs.

Boeing said it has commissioned the construction of a second facility in Oklahoma City to accommodate two program relocations as well as growth in the services business at the site.

Expected to open in second-quarter 2012, the six-story, 320,000-square-foot building will be designed and built by the Gardner Tanenbaum Group, an Oklahoma City-based commercial real estate company.

In August, Boeing announced plans to move the B-1 program and C-130 Avionics Modernization Program to Oklahoma City from Long Beach, Calif.

Boeing will lease a new 320,000-square-foot facility in Oklahoma city to accommodate the relocation of its B-1 and C-130 programs. Boeing expects to the facility to open in second-quarter 2012.
"By moving B-1 and C-130 AMP to Oklahoma City, we are able to lower our operating costs and extend an increased value to our customer," said Mark Bass, Boeing vice president and general manager of Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades. "Boeing appreciates the positive business environment created by the state of Oklahoma and its county and city governments. This environment contributes to our affordability, and the well-trained aerospace workforce already in place will be key to our success." Boeing Oklahoma City houses programs for two divisions under its Global Services & Support business: Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades; and Defense & Government Services. The site focuses on engineering, contractor logistics services and field support. "Core to our success in the competitive services market is to be affordable for our customers," said Mike Emmelhainz, Boeing Oklahoma City site leader. "We have worked in Oklahoma City to create a business environment that allows Boeing to be affordable and competitive. Our partnership with Oklahoma and the business climate here are helping us win new business, create quality jobs and sustain our current work across all of our businesses." Boeing employs 945 employees in Oklahoma, 745 of whom are located in Oklahoma City. Boeing noted it will have nearly 1,500 employees in Oklahoma when the B-1 and C-130 transition is complete. Follow IndustryWeek senior editor Josh Cable on Twitter at @JCable_IW .

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.