Boeing considers ramping up 787 production rates

Published 9:00 pm Monday, August 29, 2005

That’s what Guy Norris of Flight International reports http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/08/30/Navigation/177/201283/Boeing+considers+ramping-up+787+production.html

The biggest problem Boeing has selling Dreamliners right now is whether it can build them fast enough to meet demand. But it’s more than a matter of cranking up the assembly line a notch, writes Norris, who met with Boeing execs during last week’s rollout ceremony in Wichita for the 787 nose (that’s the 41 Section in Boeing-speak).

Key Quote: “A major part of the decision rests on investment needed throughout the supply chain, and whether or not to invest beyond current plans. … The rate question is complicated by the amount of extra investment required by the partners and suppliers.”

As plans stand now, Boeing plans to crank out seven 787s a month by 2011, Norris wrote.

On other issues … should have some word on what Machinist union leadership is thinking about Boeing’s contract offer within the hour.