Our Northwest Economy

The Global Production Model, According to Boeing

(pictured: NY Times photo of the 747 "Dreamlifter")

Boeing’s “global production model” or “global production system” is the manufacturer’s argot for a new production process developed around the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 787, a replacement for the older 767, ushers in not only a change in design—the 787 achieves gains in fuel efficiency of up to 20 percent and new composite materials make up nearly 50 percent of the airplane’s primary structure — but a change in production as well: Boeing has redesigned the assembly and manufacture process for the 787, constructing the plane from large, pre-assembled sections shipped in from around the world that are then “snapped together” in a matter of days at the company’s Everett factory.

Boeing and Our Northwest Economy

(Pictured: Flickr photo of A McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet by F18E777)

Host Intro: There has been a flurry of speculation about Boeing’s future in the Northwest since the South Carolina Dreamliner assembly line was announced. Mary Hawkins spoke with WSU economist, Andrew Cassey, about Washington exports, Boeing, and why economic forecasts tend to look more bleak than they play out in the real world.

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The Boeing Story: Excerpts From A Reporter's Notebook

There is a lot of passion in the Northwest about Boeing. It's Big Money and it's inseparable from our culture and history. This article summarizes some of the talking points in the "Great Boeing Debate" with major players in the state government, unions, industry, media, et al.

The Sky is Falling!

A much-touted report from Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WACE): What if Boeing Left Washington?

Another WACE report summarizing Boeing's contribution to the state's economy: Boeing Economics Contribution Summary

Or Is It?

Read this article by Joe Turner from Tacoma's The News Tribune, as well as a response to the above report from the Washington State Labor Council (so don't forget to scroll down): What if Boeing left Washington? (Who said, 'Again?')

If the Sky isn't Falling, There Certainly Are a Lot of Parts Flying Around!

Kevin Myers' perspective from the blog, Evolving Excellence, on what he sees as Boeing's amazingly complex (if not downright silly) "global production model" sheds light on an creative production technique: Boeing Pulls Another Rube Goldberg

Meanwhile in South Carolina...

Here's an interesting blog article from "Fits News", a SC blog by a SC skeptic, about South Carolina tax incentives for Boeing... SC Policy Council: A Bailout for Boeing.

Numbers, Numbers Everywhere!

Here's an Our Northwest Economy posting from Washington's Department of Revenue, Department of Employment and Department of Commerce. Notice that the "jobs multiplier" here is a fairly reasonable 2.814 (or 1.814 jobs for every Boeing job): Washington State Q & A  

Here's an interesting number: 3800. It's interesting because that's the number of jobs that have been lost at Boeing in the past year and that's the number forecast to be established in South Carolina over the next seven years (at minimum). It's important because of tax incentives eligibility. It's also important because according to Boeing and the state, the new facility is not "replacing jobs" it's meant to absorb a production "surge" to accomodate Dreamliner orders.

Mary Hawkins

Our Northwest Economy

Washington State - Boeing: Q & A

(photo: The 787 Final Assembly Line in Everett, Washington. Courtesy of Boeing.)

From the Washington Department of Revenue and Employment Security Department:

As of September, total aerospace manufacturing employment in Washington was 81,900 as published by Employment Security Department.

Dubai Airshow: Boeing wins first orders for 737s

(photo: Emirati officials visit the flydubai Airbus plane during an Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.)

Boeing scored its first aircraft orders at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday, getting requests for a total of 11 737-800 jetliners from two Algerian airlines.

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Airbus parent EADS reports Q3 loss on weak dollar

EADS, the parent company of plane maker Airbus, on Monday said it lost euro87 million ($130 million) in the third quarter, due partly to the weak dollar, and warned that troubled aircraft programs could further weigh on earnings in the fourth quarter.

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GE forms China JV to make airplane electronics

(photo: General Electric Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt, right center, and Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) President Lin Zuoming, shake hands at an announcement in Beijing, China.)

General Electric's aviation unit is teaming with Aviation Industry Corp. of China to develop and market electronic systems for commercial aircraft customers, including the C919 narrow-body aircraft that China hopes will compete with jets made by industry giants Boeing and Airbus.

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Airbus military transporter cleared for testing

(photo: Workers pose in front of the first A400 in Seville, Spain.)

The long-delayed prototype of Airbus' first military transport plane has been moved from the factory for final ground tests before its maiden flight next month, a spokeswoman said Friday.

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Boeing says first 747-8 emerges from factory

Boeing Co. says the first of the delay-plagued new version of its 747 freighter jet has emerged from the factory to be set up for test flights.

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Emirates mulls more Airbus A380s despite delays

(photo: An Airbus A380 of Emirates Airlines take off for a demonstration flight during the Air show, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.)

Emirates airline, the biggest buyer of the "superjumbo" Airbus A380, said Wednesday it is considering increasing its order for the double-decker plane despite delays on existing orders.

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