CHANUTE, Kan., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems,
Inc., (NYSE: SPR) the world's largest non-OEM designer and
manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial aircraft, today
formally opened a 55,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in
Chanute, Kan.
The ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was hosted by
Spirit President and CEO Jeff
Turner. Other special guests included Kansas Governor Sam
Brownback, Kansas Secretary
of Commerce Pat George, U.S.
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins,
Chanute Mayor Jim Chappell, Chanute City Manager J.D. Lester, Spirit Chanute employees and their
families and numerous community partners from the region and
state.
Employees at the facility, who officially began work
March 2, will perform small aircraft
sub-assembly bench work for Spirit work packages.
"The opening of this facility in Chanute fits well with our company's strategy
to increase our capacity in a cost effective manner and improve our
ability to compete in this challenging global economy," said
Turner. "We're positioning ourselves to take advantage of the
upswing in commercial aviation, and we can only do that with the
right people and capabilities in place."
Employees are recruited and trained through a partnership
between Spirit, KANSASWORKS and Neosho County
Community College.
"This facility represents a great accomplishment for Spirit
AeroSystems, Chanute, and
Kansas," said Brownback. "It
brings to bear some of the best assets that Kansas has to offer — excellent
infrastructure, an experienced workforce, and exemplary training
opportunities through Neosho
Community College. I want to congratulate Spirit on this
expansion."
"This is a special day as we cut the ribbon in front of this
facility," said John Pilla, Spirit
senior vice president/general manager, propulsion business unit.
"Spirit is experiencing unprecedented demand for our products, and
our company has found an innovative way to meet those needs through
this facility – we're proud to be doing business in Chanute."
The Chanute site was
established to help address capacity needs driven by
previously-announced rate increases for many of Spirit's core
programs. In September 2011, an
existing facility in Chanute was
chosen in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce, the
City of Chanute and other
community partners based on a number of priorities, including
infrastructure requirements, an available workforce and major
highway access.
Quick facts about the Spirit Chanute facility:
- The facility officially opened March 2,
2012, with 16 employees attending orientation.
- It took only seven months from site selection to opening
day.
- It took just three months for the City of Chanute to refurbish the
building.
- The hiring process is a partnership with KANSASWORKS and
Neosho County Community College to
recruit and train Spirit employee candidates.
- Chanute site employees are
performing small sub-assembly bench work.
- Ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony held April 5, 2012.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems, with headquarters in Wichita, Kan., USA, is the world's largest
non-OEM designer and manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial
aircraft. In addition to its Wichita and Chanute facilities in Kansas, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester,
Okla.; Kinston, N.C.;
Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products
include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components.
Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support
services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and
fleet support services in North
America, Europe and
Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of
customers, including Airbus.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may vary
materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to future levels of
business in the aerospace and commercial transport industries or in
the number of aircraft to be built; the success and timely
progression of our customers' new programs; challenges in the
design, development, production and support of advanced
technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those detailed in Spirit AeroSystems Holdings,
Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.