State seeks aerospace industry’s help in landing Boeing 737 work

Published 10:24 am Thursday, September 15, 2011

The state of Washington is reaching out to its aerospace companies as part of an effort to secure future work on the Boeing Co.’s 737 re-engined jet.

“We are right in the midst of putting together a very comprehensive study … to see how to attract businesses,” Tayloe W

ashburn, who is leading the governor’s effort to keep 737 work in Washington, told more than 100 aerospace industry leaders on Thursday.

Washburn, who leads the Washington Aerospace Partnership, spoke at Gov. Chris Gregoire’s aerospace summit in Kent. It’s the governor’s sixth annual aerospace conference.

Boeing plans to add new engines to its popular 737 jet. The company is calling its updated single-aisle plane the 737 MAX.

Although the company has been assembling its 737 in Renton for decades, Boeing says it isn’t sure where it will build the 737 MAX. Boeing executives say they’ll make their choice in the in the next six to eight months.

Washburn’s group has been raising money to fund an aerospace competitiveness study to help the state address any deficiencies that might prevent Boeing from keeping its 737 successor here.

On Thursday, Washburn asked aerospace suppliers for their input.

“If we don’t know what the problems are, we can’t fix it,” he said.

Once the study has been completed, the aerospace industry will present a plan to the state Legislature in January. Washburn urged companies to lobby their lawmakers to push through the agenda.