MEDIA RELEASE PR40280
Spirit AeroSystems Officially Opens Facility in Kinston, NC
KINSTON, N.C., July 2 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., (NYSE: SPR) the world's largest independent supplier of
commercial airplane assemblies and components, today formally opened its new 500,000-
square-foot manufacturing facility in Kinston, N.C. The ceremony was hosted by Spirit
President and CEO Jeff Turner, and Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. Other special
guests included Governor Beverly Perdue, along with numerous community partners from
around the region and state.
Employees at the facility will design and manufacture the composite
center fuselage upper and lower shells (Section 15) and front wing spar for
the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft using state-of-the-art technology and processes.
Design work has been underway for approximately two years, and the
manufacturing process will begin immediately.
"We are proud of what Spirit has achieved over the last two years and
honoured to have been invited to Kinston to witness the opening of this
high-tech facility. Here at the Kinston plant an important part of our all
new A350 XWB will be manufactured," said Tom Enders, Airbus president and
CEO. "Our cooperation with Spirit is an example of how Airbus is growing its
partnerships in the United States, both supporting jobs and contributing to
the American economy," he added.
"The Kinston community has been more than welcoming to Spirit," said Dan
Wheeler, vice president/general manager, North Carolina Business Unit. "From
the announcement and groundbreaking in 2008, to the occupancy ceremony in
April, to the grand opening today, it's been a challenging yet rewarding
experience for everyone involved. We can't wait to begin producing quality
components for Airbus at this site."
"We've been anticipating this day for quite some time," said Jeff Turner,
Spirit president and CEO. "I'm proud of our team for many reasons, including
staying on-track with the development of this facility as well as reaching
critical milestones for this program. The innovative design/build process
we've created will undoubtedly bring value to our customer."
At a ceremony in April, the training center at the Global TransPark was
re-named the Spirit AeroSystems Composite Center of Excellence. Spirit is
working in partnership with Lenoir Community College to create curriculum and
training for potential employees at the center.
Initial employment is on track to exceed 200 by the end of the year, and
will grow to about 700 over the next few years on the Airbus work statement
alone. Reaching the total employment goal of 1,000 will require placing
additional work at this site.
Spirit won a contract with Airbus in May 2008 to design and produce the
A350 XWB's composite fuselage structure, known as Section 15, which will be
approximately 65 feet long, 20 feet wide and weigh nearly 9,000 pounds. The
company also will produce the front spar for the aircraft's wings at the
Kinston plant. The spar is a wing structure made of nearly 100 percent
composite material, weighs more than 2,000 pounds, and measures approximately
105 feet long.
Fuselage components designed and manufactured in North Carolina will be
shipped across the Atlantic, received at Spirit's new facility in
Saint-Nazaire, France, and assembled before being transported to Airbus as
"Section 15." The front spar will be shipped to Spirit's UK operations in
Prestwick, Scotland, for integration into the wing leading edges before being
shipped to Airbus for final assembly.
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest
independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. In
addition to its Kansas facility, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester,
Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Prestwick, Scotland; Samlesbury, England; Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia; and is developing a new manufacturing facility in Saint-Nazaire,
France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons,
nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket
customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul
, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe
produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future
business opportunities. Actual results may vary materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to future levels of business in the aerospace and commercial
transport industries or in the number of aircraft to be built; the success
and timely progression of our customers' new programs; challenges in the
design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well
as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed
in Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.
SOURCE: Spirit AeroSystems
CONTACT: Lisa Conklin,
Corporate Communications of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.,
+1-316-207-1236
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