American plane maker Boeing has completed its acquisition of its part of Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems. This sees Boeing take full ownership of Boeing focussed operations, while Airbus-focused operations have been sold off to European plane maker, Airbus.

Boeing’s acquisition will see it undertake even closer control of the work that takes place at its various plants in the United States, and Europe. The move will see Spirit’s Boeing-related operations be acquired by Boeing, including the fuselage fabrication for commercial aircraft (737, 767, 777, and 787).

Spirit Aerosystems Acquisition Complete

Spirit AeroSystems is a key player for Boeing in the design and fabrication of structural components that are used in commercial, business, and defence jets, along with platforms, fuselages, wings, pylons, and nacelles. Spirit’s Northern Ireland operations will become an independent subsidiary known as Short Brothers, a Boeing Company, located in Belfast.

This transaction sees Boeing underscore its continued commitment to ensuring aviation safety and will strengthen the airplane manufacturer’s stability in the global supply chain. The move sees major operations fall under Commercial Airplanes, while the defense programmes are set to operate independently. Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, explained, as per a report by PR News Wire:

« As we welcome our new teammates and bring our two companies together, our focus is on maintaining stability so we can continue delivering high-quality airplanes, differentiated services, and advanced defense capabilities for our customers and the industry. »

A ‘Pivotal’ Moment

Ortberg has noted that the move is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history, and will set the plane maker up for ‘success’ as it signals its intentions to establish Spirit Defense, and continue commercial and aftermarket operations. The acquisition, which relates specifically to all Boeing-related operations, assumes responsibility for the 737, 767, 777, and 787 fuselages and programmes.

For Boeing, this will also see the largest supplier of parts for the manufacturer being brought in-house, which will expand the overall global maintenance, repair, and overhaul service under one umbrella. While Spirit Defense will begin to support customers independently, it to ensure uninterrupted support for all customers.

The commercial and aftermarket operation centres, which are located in Wichita, Dallas, Tulsa, and Prestwick (Scotland), have begun their integration into the wider Boeing company, which will see more than 15,000 staff members become part of Boeing. Airbus will take ownership of its assets that involve Airbus aerostructure, including sites located in Kingston (North Carolina), St Nazaire (France), Casablanca (Morocco), Prestwick (Scotland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), and Wichita (Kansas).

Expertise Reaches ‘Beyond Borders’

The local governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly, has celebrated the acquisition, noting that it now sees Kansas aviation expertise stretch ‘beyond its borders’. Reminding those that Spirit Aerosystems has been integral to the continued expansion and reach of Boeing aircraft. This significant piece of work that happens within the state has been shaping the ‘future of aerospace innovation’.

Closing at $4.7 billion, Boeing’s takeover of Spirit has seen the world’s largest independent wing and fuselage maker become part of one of America’s most recognizable brands. While Airbus has acquired parts of Spirit, Boeing will assume all Boeing-related operations. The deal, which was first announced last year, sees a major realignment of the commercial supply chain, ensuring that both Airbus and Boeing can now take direct control over issues with problem-plagued parts that have hampered their supply chain.

Most recently, Spirit AeroSystems has received financial support from both Airbus and Boeing to continue the ongoing fabrication of vital parts. This has been cited as a key factor in the delay of jetliner rollouts, including the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A350. A key focus from the acquisition will be to stabilize ongoing supply chain challenges and continued aircraft production.

Spirit AeroSystems was established in 2005, after being spun off from Boeing to an investment firm, Onex Corporation, for $900 million in cash, and assumption of its $300 million in debt. Known formerly as Mid-Western Aircraft Systems, it was renamed Spirit AeroSystems shortly after its spin-off. Following years of financial loss financially, and quality control concerns, Boeing initiated talks to re-acquire Spirit in January last year.