Boeing buying half of Dreamliner's South Carolina plant

Boeing said this morning it has agreed to buy a 50 percent stake in the South Carolina facility where major sections of the 787 Dreamliner are joined together.

Boeing will acquire Vought Aircraft Industries' interest in Global Aeronautica, making that company a 50-50 joint venture with Alenia Aeronautica.

Vought will continue to produce the aft fuselage for the 787 at its facility adjacent to Global Aeronautica in North Charleston, Boeing said.

Boeing did not disclose terms of the deal, which requires regulatory approval. It said the acquisition will not affect its financial guidance.

The Global Aeronautica plant joins the aft and center fuselage sections, which are then flown to Everett for final assembly of the Dreamliner.

Boeing has announced two major delays in completion of the first Dreamliners, and is widely expected to announce a third delay. Insertion of wiring and other components in the sections joined together in Charlston has been one source of difficulties.

"All three partners in this transaction — Boeing, Vought and Alenia — believe these changes will enable the 787 team to continue to overcome supply-chain challenges of the program," said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, in a statement announcing the deal.