Boeing’s Bair reflects on 787, suppliers

Published 10:52 am Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Two weeks after Mike Bair was moved from his position as head of Boeing’s fast-selling 787 jet, he addressed the Snohomish County Economic Development Council in Everett this morning. Bair was reassigned in mid-October to vice president of business strategy and marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Bair gave his take on the Dreamliner and the problems that Boeing has encountered with it, including difficulties with suppliers. Those supplier issues, as well as the logistics of moving major parts around the world to Everett, have given Boeing a reason to rethink how it could use partners in the future. Bair suggested the company may even pressure suppliers to locate in one region.

I’ve just posted my story and will have more for you on this tomorrow.