the world contain components made in China, according to company figures. China, for example, builds horizontal stabilizers, vertical fins and other parts for the 737; horizontal stabilizers, vertical fins and various moving control surfaces for the 747-8; and rudders and other “Compete and collaborate is the new mantra.” —Ian Thomas, Boeing China president composite parts for the 787. Additionally, Taikoo Aircraft Engineering was the first location for converting retired 747-400 passenger airplanes into freighters. In November, Aviation Industry Corp. of China signed a contract to make composite tail parts for the 777 beginning in 2017. Boeing already sources parts from AVIC, the largest state-owned aviation company in China, and the two established a Manufacturing Innovation Center in 2012 to provide technical and project management training to employees. Another center is slated to open this year. These growing relationships are crucial to help increase capability and capacity as Boeing ramps up production of the 737 to 52 airplanes a month in 2018, Chang said. He emphasized that Chinese suppliers are an integrated part of Boeing’s production system. “Our strategy is to 44 Boeing Fronti ers
Frontiers February 2015 Issue
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