Business & Tech
Boeing To Build Training Center in China; Cuts 225 Jobs in Wichita Defense Unit
The company will partner with Aviation Industry Corporation of China, China's largest state-owned aviation company, to build the facility.
announced on Monday plans to build a new manufacturing training center in China.
According to a St. Louis Business Journal brief, the company will partner with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) to build the facility. AVIC is China’s largest state-owned aviation company.
The AVIC-Boeing Manufacturing Innovation Center will be built in Xi’an, China, and is slated to open in early 2012, according to a Boeing press release.
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"As a company in a global market poised for tremendous growth, we need to increase both the capacity and capabilities of our supply chain," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Jim Albaugh, in a statement. "The AVIC-Boeing Manufacturing Innovation Center is consistent with our approach of partnering with suppliers to enhance their quality and productivity.
"AVIC has been a valuable supplier partner to Boeing for many years. This agreement is an opportunity to advance their capabilities and add value for Boeing and our customers."
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The news of the China expansion comes just shy of one week after Boeing announced plans Tuesday to cut about 225 jobs at its defense facility in Wichita, Kan.
The cuts would come through layoffs, attrition and transfers.
Boeing, whose Defense, Space & Security unit is based in Hazelwood, said in a press release that the cuts will be made at the unit’s Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades (MM&U) facility in Wichita.
The cuts are the result of some programs coming to an end at the facility, and adjustments in aircraft maintenance cycles, according to the statement.
The reductions will take place through the remainder of this year. The first phase of notices went out to about 60 employees on Friday, the company said.
“This reduction of positions is necessary to help our business reduce cost and improve productivity,” said Mark Bass, MM&U vice president and general manager, in a statement. “Our goal is to remain affordable and competitive, and ensure future growth in the airplane modification business in Wichita.”
The Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in Wichita specializes in modifying commercial aircraft for military or government operations.
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