Boeing Could Grow In Lowcountry
It’s not great economic news, mind you, but at this point South Carolina will take it.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has applied for permits to expand its plant in the S.C. Lowcountry, the Associated Press reported Wednesday – a formality that means South Carolina is in the running for additional business.
Nonetheless, the news launched U.S. Rep. Henry Brown into a veritable tizzy.
“The potential for increasing Boeing’s presence in our state is a massive vote of confidence in the quality of the South Carolina workforce,” Brown said.
Whoa, whoa, whoa … slow dohttp://www.fitsnews.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=28123wn there, honcho.
First of all, this is a procedural step, one that Boeing would take at any prospective location. The company is also looking at expanding operations at its primary facility in Everett, Washington, which we hate to remind people beat South Carolina like a drum five-and-half years ago in the battle to land Boeing’s main assembly plant.
Second of all, Boeing will make its decision based on which state is “business friendliest,” and right now that’s clearly Washington – which ranked 16th on a recent CNBC list of states’ competitiveness. South Carolina, on the other hand, ranked 37th.
The Dreamliner – or “Nightmare Liner” as some have taken to calling it – has suffered from numerous production glitches and delays since it began back in 2004, costing the company billions.
With its maiden flight originally scheduled for 2007, nearly two years later the aircraft remains grounded due to various technological problems. Additionally, Boeing has been forced to push back delivery of the airplanes based on labor disputes and production issues.
In an effort to get things back on track, Boeing has worked to consolidate its supply chain – including purchasing two South Carolina locations.
Last month, Boeing purchased a South Carolina manufacturing facility from one of its key suppliers for $580 million. The previous March, the company purchased a Global Aeronautica facility in North Charleston that had been blamed for the botched sub-assembly of the airplane’s fuselage.
This morning, Boeing’s stock is up after the company announced that the 787 would be ready for its first flight by the end of the year.
Comments
By Hmmmmm on August 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Boeing’s reasons for this is a negotiating tool in their “discussions” with the unions in WA. (The unions are playing hardball in WA and Boeing has countered with “I hope you like South Carolina” – because we will close this whole operation and move it to SC).
Sounding familiar *coughCough* Macktrucks *coughcough*
By CNSYD on August 27th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Ever since Gov. Campbell ignored Charleston (he was too busy bowing before the BMW throne) when the Navy discussed leaving there has not been any heavy industry even sniff Charleston.
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