Boeing

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has completed its expansion activities in West Jordan and Salt Lake City, and produced its first 787-9 Dreamliner horizontal stabiliser manufactured in Utah.

The horizontal stabiliser, similar to two smaller fixed-wings on the back of an airplane, helps provide stability to the aircraft in flight.

Boeing Salt Lake general manager Larry Coughlin said: "This is an exciting time for Boeing and our Salt Lake team.

"Our recent progress sets the stage for Boeing Salt Lake to become a major composites manufacturing center."

Under the expansion project, Boeing has converted its 850,000ft² building located in West Jordan from a vacant warehouse into a composite fabrication production in less than two years. The centre has 100 employees.

"Utah’s growing aerospace industry is an important contributor to the state’s economy, and Boeing is a key player."

For final assembly of the horizontal stabiliser, the company will ship the components manufactured at the West Jordan site to Boeing’s Salt Lake City Airport facility.

In order to expand its presence in the Salt Lake region, Boeing purchased the West Jordan composite manufacturing building in 2013. Production at the site began this year.

Utah lieutenant governor Spencer Cox said: "Utah’s growing aerospace industry is an important contributor to the state’s economy, and Boeing is a key player.

"I am thankful for the strides we have made as a state to make Utah one of the top states in the nation for aerospace manufacturing."

At present, Boeing Salt Lake site has more than 760 employees in three locations.

It provides design, build and multi-source integration of composite empennage products and flight deck structures for the 787 vertical fin, the 787-9 horizontal stabiliser, and flight deck consoles for all models, assembled components and emergent support.

Boeing fabrication vice-president and general manager Jenette Ramos said: "For 28 years, our highly skilled Salt Lake team has been building parts and assemblies for Boeing and now has added composite manufacturing to its list."

Image: The first Boeing 787 on its maiden flight. Photo courtsey of Altair78.