WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit
AeroSystems, [NYSE: SPR] today announced the company plans to
expand operations at its Tulsa,
Okla., site by hiring about 250 employees and investing more
than $80 million in capital projects
to support fuselage manufacturing and assembly work.
The multi-year expansion project, which begins in 2019, was
achieved in partnership with the International Union, United
Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
(UAW). The state of Oklahoma and
City of Tulsa offered incentives
to help secure the work statement in Tulsa with support from the Tulsa Regional
Chamber of Commerce.
"This expansion would not have been possible without the strong
collaboration among Spirit, the UAW and Oklahoma state and local officials," said
Spirit AeroSystems President and Chief Executive Officer
Tom Gentile. "The Spirit team in
Tulsa has made great strides
improving the site's efficiency and demonstrating the capability to
bring in additional work. The Tulsa site has a critical role in helping
Spirit meet rising airplane production rates and pursue growth
opportunities."
"Yet another expansion announcement in Oklahoma by Spirit AeroSystems is a thrilling
development for our state," said Oklahoma Governor Mary
Fallin. "Spirit AeroSystems' continued investment in our
people and growing presence in our state is a testament to the
positive business climate that we have developed in Oklahoma and another example of how we are
diversifying Oklahoma's
economy."
"Spirit AeroSystems stands as one of the leading designers and
manufacturers of aerostructures in the world, and their presence in
Tulsa has been an ongoing
indicator of our city's strength in the industry," said
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. "Today's announcement that Spirit
will add 250 jobs over the next three years bolsters Tulsa's standing as a center of aerospace
excellence. Over the past several months we have worked diligently
with the team at Spirit to identify how we can ensure the growth of
their Tulsa operations, and we are
pleased to have the opportunity to leverage support through the
Vision Tulsa Airport Infrastructure Fund to support Spirit's
planned $80 million in capital
projects investments.
The new Tulsa jobs will support
increases in 737 production rates by freeing up required space in
Spirit's Wichita factory
site. The work expansion in Tulsa is part of a larger effort to maximize
operational efficiencies across Spirit's sites. As the production
rates increase, the Wichita site
will continue to hire additional workers to meet the increasing
demand.
The first phase of the Tulsa
work expansion will begin with infrastructure set-up and employee
training beginning in 2019. Full rate production is expected to be
complete by the end of 2021. Additional investment in
equipment, tooling and facilities upgrades will take place through
2022.
On the web: www.spiritaero.com
On Twitter: @SpiritAero
About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both
commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates
sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's
core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing
components for the world's premier
aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses
on affordable, innovative
composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers
around the globe. More information is available
at www.SpiritAero.com.
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SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Inc.