The state of Washington, with the help of the Boeing Co., will host a major summit for global aerospace and defense companies next year.
The event, the first of its kind to be held in the United States, was announced Tuesday by the jetmaker and Gov. Chris Gregoire from the Paris Air Show. Gre
goire led a delegation of 75 people to the international air show to drum up business for Washington state.
“Selection of Seattle by the international organizers to be the first U.S. site for this event sends another strong signal to the world that Washington state is the focal point for American aerospace innovation and production,” Gregoire said.
The Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit, which will is scheduled for March 12 to 15 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, is expected to draw 600 companies and 1,200 individuals from around the world. It will be hosted by BCI Aerospace, Boeing and the state Department of Commerce. BCI Aerospace organizes similar aerospace and defense networking events around the world.
“This is an ideal opportunity to showcase the hundreds of outstanding local aerospace companies to important industry partners from around the country and the world,” said Rogers Weed, commerce director for Washington.
The first day of the event will include workshops and insights from industry leaders. The following two days will be devoted to face-to-face meetings between companies. Four Boeing business units — commercial airplanes; defense, space and security; engineering, operations and technology; and shared services group — will participate in the event.
“The Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for suppliers to engage with major suppliers of the Boeing Co., and make connections that can expand their business and technology reach,” said Stan Deal, general manager of supplier management for Boeing’s commercial airplanes division.
Also Tuesday, Gregoire announced that French technology company Dassault Systemes has signed a lease in Seattle. Dassault Systemes provides 3-D and product lifecycle management solutions to Northwest giants including Boeing, REI, Fred Meyer and PACCAR. It’s the first major win for the state in several years of courting aerospace companies to come here.
Dassault Systemes will establish its Northwest base in Seattle, Gregoire said, after meeting with Dassault executives at the air show. Dassault signed a lease for 11,000 square feet of space in the West Lake Union Center. The new office, which will open later this year, will function as a hub for Dassault Systemes’ 90 full- and part-time employees in the Northwest and for anticipated additional engineering staff in the future.
“Our centralized operations in the Northwest will help reinforce Dassault Systemes’ already strong local connections, and we’re enthusiastic about the collaboration and energy that will be fostered as our Seattle employees interact each day in a state-of-the-art office space located in one of the nation’s key technology areas,” said Al Bunshaft, managing director of Dassault Systemes Americas.
Gregoire also noted a deal for Bellingham-based Heath Tecna, which signed a contract with Austrian Air to reconfigure the interiors of 10 Boeing planes. The contract means about 75 jobs for the aerospace supplier. Heath Tecna also announced it will supply Korean Airlines with bars, sofas and other furnishings for the carrier’s 10 A380 superjumbo jets.
Boeing, Airbus deals announced Tuesday
The Boeing Co.
•15 737-800s from Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. The carrier also has finalized its contract to buy three Boeing 787 Dreamliners, an agreement the Oslo-based operator announced in May.
Eight 777-300ERs from Aeroflot Russian Airlines. The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
10 737-800s from Malaysia Airlines. The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
Two 747-8 freighters and eight 777-300ERs from GE Capital Aviation Services. Boeing said this deal will show up on its orders website when finalized.
Airbus
•40 A320neo jets from JetBlue Airways. This is a tentative deal.
10 A320neo and 15 A320 jets from Garuda Indonesia. This is a tentative deal.
50 A320neo jets from CIT Group. This order hasn’t been finalized.
Six A321neo aircraft from TransAsia Airways. Airbus said this is a firm order.
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