Boeing is set to announce its intention to acquire the 787 operations currently run by Vought Aircraft Industries in North Charleston, SC in a major shake up of the supply chain for its new flagship product.
According to multiple sources familiar with the plan, Vought Aircraft Industries 787 arm is to be divested from parent company The Carlyle Group and sold to The Boeing Company.
“It’s a done deal,” says a source close to the agreement.
The same sources indicate that the sale of the Charleston 787 operations unit, known as the Advanced Aerosolutions (AAD) branch of Dallas-based Vought, will likely be the first key step to establishing a second production site for the mid-size widebody aircraft.
Both Boeing and Vought are adhering to their respective policies to not comment on rumors or speculation regarding mergers and acquisitions.
However, Boeing added that it has “long said that a second line is an issue we will consider in due course, and we have, and will continue to evaluate the many factors that will be a part of any decision. Our primary focus right now is getting the 787 into flight test and getting the existing production system running smoothly.”
Boeing announced last week that a delay in first flight was necessary to reinforce the side-of-body of the 787, indefinitely grounding the fleet until the company can develop, test and install a remedial modification.
INSIDE:
- What’s Next?
- The Campus
- A Second 787 Line?
- Protecting The Supply Chain
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.