What will jet production increases mean for aerospace suppliers?
Companies hope to find out Monday when the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance annual conference in Lynnwood opens.
The conference begins in the afternoon with a half-day focus on the defense industry. The two-and-a-half-day event will include presentations by aerospace analysts as well as updates from aerospace giants like Boeing, Airbus, EADS and Lockheed Martin.
Last year, more than 300 people attended the conference, representing nearly 200 aerospace companies.
Both Boeing and Airbus are ramping up aircraft production and are relying on suppliers to keep up the pace. The conference will focus on how small and medium-sized companies can meet the challenges that come with the higher production rates of major jet makers.
Agenda highlights:
•• Update on the unmanned aerial vehicle market by Insitu, a Boeing subsidiary based in Bingen, Wash.
• Overview from EADS North America on expansion. The European company wants to increase business in the U.S. tenfold.
• Aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia will talk about the commercial and military markets.
• Boeing will discuss the 20-year jet-market outlook.
• Engine makers CFM and Pratt &Whitney will discuss the re-engined jets of Boeing and Airbus.
• Small jet maker Embraer will make its first appearance at the conference to talk about the E-jets program and doing business in Brazil, where Embraer is based.
Check heraldnet.com/boeing this week for updates from the conference, or visit pnaa.net for more details.
Herald writer Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
