Boeing has opened its first component factory in Europe, at Sheffield in the U.K. The premises will be used for the manufacture of actuation system components for the Boeing 737 and 767 jets from raw materials sourced in the U.K. Parts by the thousand will be produced each month, then shipped to Boeing’s Portland, Oregon facilities back in the U.S. Actuation systems move the flaps at the back of the wing to provide extra lift at low speeds during takeoff and landing.
Sheffield will be responsible for manufacturing over 100 different high-tech actuation components of the 737 and 767 wing trailing edge, Boeing having invested some £40 million (US$51.2 million) in the 62,000-square-meter facility. There is a total of 52 employees, including experienced mechanics, engineers and more than 20 apprentices working in the current Boeing Sheffield team.
“We appreciate all the community support for Boeing’s new advanced manufacturing factory in the UK. This is a fabulous example of how we are engaging global talent to provide greater value to our customers,” said Jenette Ramos, Boeing Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Operations. “In Boeing Sheffield, we are building on longstanding relationships and the region’s manufacturing expertise to enhance our production system and continue to connect, protect, explore and inspire aerospace innovation.”
Greg Clark, U.K. Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “Boeing choosing the heart of South Yorkshire as its first European home is testament to our capabilities, talent pool and strong manufacturing supply chains which are vital to job creation and creating value for local economies.
“We are leading the world in UK aerospace manufacturing and through our modern Industrial Strategy, we, along with industry have committed to invest £3.9 billion (US$5 billion) in aerospace.”
