In order to improve operational efficiency, Boeing has decided to consolidate their 787 production capacity at the company’s North Charleston, South Carolina facility from mid-2021. Production will continue in Everett until program begins building at a rate of six/month in 2021.
On Thursday (October 1, 2020), Boeing announced that they will consolidate 787 production at their North Charleston, South Carolina Facility from mid-2021. In the meantime, production will continue at their Everett, Washington facility until the program begins building 787s at the previously announced rate of six per month. The company has taken the decision in order to improve operational efficiency and preserve liquidity, in light of the COVID-19 related market downturn, and to position for long-term recovery and growth. Although Boeing’s highly versatile 787 Dreamliner Family of aircraft has outperformed other widebody aircraft, the realignment will accommodate current market conditions, while positioning a ramp up of 787 production when conditions improve. In today’s announcement, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Stan Deal, said,
"The Boeing 787 is the tremendous success it is today thanks to our great teammates in Everett. They helped give birth to an airplane that changed how airlines and passengers want to fly. As our customers manage through the unprecedented global pandemic, to ensure the long-term success of the 787 program, we are consolidating 787 production in South Carolina. Our team in Puget Sound will continue to focus on efficiently building our 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplane families, and both sites will drive Boeing initiatives to further enhance safety, quality, and operational excellence. We recognize that production decisions can impact our teammates, industry and our community partners. We extensively evaluated every aspect of the program and engaged with our stakeholders on how we can best partner moving forward. These efforts will further refine 787 production and enhance the airplane’s value proposition.”
Production for the 787-8 and 787-9 began at Boeing’s Everett site in 2007, with the North Charleston facility coming online as a second final assembly line in 2010. Only Boeing’s South Carolina facility is set up to build the larger Boeing 787-10 model, so consolidating production there makes the most sense. In the meantime, production of the smaller models will continue in Everett until the program transitions to a production rate of six per month in 2021. Boeing is assessing employment impacts at both facilities and will communicate any changes directly to affected team members.
Source: Boeing