Boeing

Boeing Wichita [NYSE: BA] has signed an agreement with Boeing Commercial Aviation Services (CAS) to establish a Service Center here for the repair and overhaul of aircraft nacelles and composite structures. The Boeing Wichita Service Center expands to nine the number of Boeing centers in its worldwide network.

"Traditionally Boeing Wichita has designed and built aircraft assemblies and components," said Jeff Turner, Boeing Wichita vice president-general manager. "The establishment of this new service center, however, gives us an opportunity to expand into new business endeavors and utilize the expertise of our great workforce."

Wichita, which designs and builds nacelles for 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 airplanes, has performed a number of nacelle and composite repairs since 2000. It currently has proposals to airline operators pending for such repairs.

"Becoming a service provider is the result of all our people working together throughout the value chain, from raw material to finished product," said Strut, Nacelle and Composites Director Mike King. "Their efforts have won us the respect of our customers, which was critical to the establishment of this new Service Center in Wichita."

The Wichita commercial facility also designs and builds the forward sections and engine struts of the 747, 757, 767 and 777. Wichita builds three-quarters of the 737 airframe, which it ships by rail to its sister division in Renton, Wash., for final assembly and delivery to customers. Additionally, Wichita is the tooling center of excellence for The Boeing Company.

Under the new agreement, Boeing Wichita provides repair services and CAS provides marketing, sales, customer support and business infrastructure for the new Service Center in Wichita.

Other Boeing Service Centers are located in Seattle, Dallas, London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Long Beach, Calif., Melbourne, Ark., and Melbourne, Australia.