EVERETT — An Everett-based unit of the Boeing Co. will oversee development of interiors for the new 7E7 airliner.
The company announced Thursday that its Interiors Responsibility Center will be in charge of developing the interior of the plane.
It will be a new role for the center, which until now had built interiors only for Boeing jets. In its new role, the unit will manage other suppliers, too.
"They’ll decide what is done in-house and what goes out, and bring it all together," 7E7 program spokeswoman Lori Gunter said.
It’s too early to tell whether that will mean more Boeing jobs in Everett, she said. It depends on what work ends up being done here and what is done elsewhere, which hasn’t been decided.
The suppliers are to be chosen by the end of the year.
Specifically, the center will oversee development of interior side walls, ceilings, stowage bins, crew rest areas and closets. It also will select providers of items such as lavatories, galleys, passenger seats, water systems and escape slides.
The center will work with Teague, the Seattle-based firm that worked with Boeing to design a new-look interior for the 7E7.
"This is a milestone on our journey to becoming the world’s premier choice for aircraft interiors," said Elizabeth Lund, the center’s director.
Also Thursday, Boeing announced that a French company, Messier-Dowty, will provide the main and nose landing gears for the 7E7.
The companies are in final contract negotiations and expect to reach an agreement within weeks, Boeing said.
The decision marks a switch. Goodrich, which has a landing-gear final assembly building in Everett, is now the primary supplier of landing gear for Boeing commercial jets.
Messier-Dowty provides landing gears for several Boeing military aircraft and has been a subcontractor on the Boeing 777 landing gear.
Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
