Originally published March 28, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 28, 2008 at 3:16 PM
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 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.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Speculation grows for Boeing 787 plant in South Carolina
New planes will have air bags and sturdier seats

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Alhambra July Sale
- Pink Ginger First Anniversary Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
172 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
137 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
125 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
100 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
68 - Seeking your questions
53 - Mariners did their part, now they need help
46
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Outdoor-theater season kicks off at Volunteer Park
- Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill
