October 17, 2016 – Boeing has opened a new US$300m composite center on its St Louis campus in the USA, which will house the company’s largest commercial aviation work initiative ever placed at the site.
The 424,000-square-foot facility will initially build composite parts for the 777X. Production of 777X wing edge and empennage parts will begin at the center in early 2017, with the first 777X delivery expected in 2020.
“Boeing has had a presence in St Louis for nearly 80 years. We’ve built more than 12,000 fighter jets here,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president and program manager for the 777X St Louis work. “With the opening of this new composite center, our well-trained, high-quality workforce is able to demonstrate its versatility and expertise, positioning our region for additional commercial and defense work in the future.”
As a result of this 777X work in St Louis, approximately 700 jobs are expected to be generated in production, engineering, and multiple support areas by the early 2020s.