SNOHOMISH COUNTY – The 787 brought them here.
Sure, the Boeing Co. has farmed out much of the work on its new plane to suppliers around the world. And, yes, the result of Boeing’s decision means the company flies into Everett huge, nearly complete sections from places such as Nagoya, Japan; Grottalie, Italy; and Charleston, S.C.
But some partners in Boeing’s expansive global supply chain thought it best to be close to Boeing and built or leased facilities in Snohomish County.
“We want to increase our footprint with the Boeing Co.,” said Phil Hopton, vice president of operations for Rolls-Royce’s Seattle office. “We’re here to build the relationship.”
Rolls-Royce, one of two companies providing engines for the 787, saw establishing an office in Snohomish County as a strategic move to prove to Boeing just how committed it is to the program and future business with the planemaker.
As it turns out, the move also made it easier for Rolls to deal with other suppliers, such as Goodrich Corp., which installs engine covers on both Rolls and General Electric’s 787 engines. Rolls built a new facility just down the road from Boeing, a move that benefited both Goodrich and Rolls.
The move just made sense to Dave Kaupke, general manager for Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services. It saves the manufacturer shipping costs and makes its lean manufacturing aspirations easier.
Plus “most of our partners were also locating here,” Kaupke said.
Besides Snohomish County’s proximity to Boeing, the county’s officials were helpful in speeding through building permits for Goodrich’s new factory, built in seven months. And state tax incentives also were helpful, Kaupke said.
The cluster of aerospace businesses in Snohomish County is important to companies such as GE Aviation Systems. By sheer proximity, companies can bounce ideas off each other. That’s an advantage that was particularly important for the technology-changing Dreamliner, said Jim Shaw, vice president of GE’s Boeing Civil Aircraft program.
“That’s really important as Boeing is changing the business model,” Jim Shaw said.
The addition of new suppliers in Snohomish County has meant more jobs for workers in the area. Before his company won a spot on the 787, it employed about 12 technical people in Snohomish County. Today, GE has 100 people working at its site here, Shaw said.
Cynthia Raynor, vice president and general manager of C&D Zodiac, said she’s been pleased with the work force her company has found in the county. And the county’s community colleges have stepped up to the plate in offering courses that prepare people for aerospace jobs.
“We really found a pocket of highly trained workers here in Snohomish County,” Raynor said.
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