Boeing breaks ground in St. Louis for new composites center

Boeing began construction of a new 367,000-ft² facility in which it will build parts for the newest member of its 777 commercial airplanes family, the 777X. About 700 new jobs will be created for the 777X work. Construction should be complete in 2016, with work on 777X wing and empennage parts starting in 2017. The facility is an expansion of Boeing’s current tooling center at the site and will contain six autoclaves. As we move forward with construction of our new center, we will significantly enhance our aerospace composite capability in St. Louis, positioning us for today’s opportunities, and tomorrow’s,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president, Boeing Military Aircraft Cross-Enterprise Design/Build. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Boeing St. Louis and the entire region, which enables us to bridge to the future as a site with both commercial and defense capabilities.” Boeing’s St. Louis site, which marked its 75th anniversary this year, is renowned for military aircraft production. More than 12,000 fighter jets have been built there and the site is headquarters for the Boeing Defense, Space & Security business unit. As of Dec.1, the company had about 15,000 employees in Missouri. Earlier this year, Boeing selected its Everett, Wash. site as the location for a new composite wing center for the 777X program. In this wing center, Boeing will perform fabrication and assembly of the 777X’s composite wing. Additionally, Boeing will perform final assembly of the 777X in Everett.