Boeing Commercial Airplanes (a business unit of The Boeing Company, Inc.) will invest $81.7 million to retrofit and equip its existing defense-related facility in Macon-Bibb County, GA for the manufacturing of 747-8 fuselage panels, creating up to 200 new jobs over the next three years. The facility is located in the Macon-Bibb County Airport Industrial Park.
“This is good news for Boeing and our customers,” said Bruce Dickinson, vice president and general manager for the 747 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 747 is an iconic airplane and a key part of our product strategy. The Macon facility provides us with a new source for metal fuselages as we work to address market demand.”
The Boeing 747-8 is a modernized version of the legendary Boeing 747, and the 747-8 fuselage panels are an integral part in the updated model of this aircraft. The manufacturing of these parts will create jobs in the following areas: engineering, administrative, technical, procurement analyst and assembly and maintenance. The company will take advantage Georgia’s workforce training program, Quick Start.
Boeing will take over the work from Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Group, Inc., with the Macon site providing assembled fuselage panels to Boeing’s 747 final assembly line in Everett, WA. Boeing and Triumph Aerostructures have worked together to ensure a smooth transition for the 747 supply chain.
“Boeing’s choice to manufacture these vital pieces of equipment at their Macon-Bibb County facility is further indication that Georgia is home to a highly-skilled workforce and a world-class infrastructure,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “I am confident that their production will continue to thrive as a result of this decision, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project has on our state upon execution.”
“This exciting new commercial opportunity at Boeing’s Macon-Bibb County facility is the result of progressive and persistent teamwork between the public and private sector,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “All involved have worked hard to make this a reality, and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure that Boeing is successful in Georgia for many years to come.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes is headquartered in Seattle, WA and employs approximately 85,000 people world-wide. The Boeing facility in Macon currently builds replacement wing centers for the A-10 and aft pylons for the CH-47. Defense work at the Macon facility is scheduled to end in mid-2016 at which time Boeing will transition the site for Commercial Airplanes work to support ramp up to full production of 747 fuselage panel assembly by 2018. When completed, Macon will become the 12th manufacturing site for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Fabrication organization. Upgrades and improvements to the existing 200,000-square-foot facility will include modifications to the building and existing equipment and installation of new equipment.
