Boeing [NYSE: BA] has confirmed it has completed the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems [NYSE: SPR].
“This is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history and future success as we begin to integrate Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket operations and establish Spirit Defense,” said Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. “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.”
The acquisition includes Spirit’s commercial work linked to Boeing, such as fuselages for the 737 programme and major structures for the 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner. It also covers fuselages supplied for defence aircraft including the P-8 and KC-46.
Boeing will now bring its largest source of spare parts in-house. The acquisition expands its maintenance, repair and overhaul capability and adds Spirit’s leasing, exchange and rotables business to its portfolio.
Spirit Defense will continue to serve defence customers as a separate supplier to avoid disruption. It will sit under Boeing Defense, Space & Security for reporting and selected support functions, but will operate with separate governance and oversight.
Parts of Spirit AeroSystems’ Belfast operations have also been acquired. The site will now operate as Short Brothers, a Boeing Company, with its own structure.
Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket facilities in Wichita, Kansas; Dallas, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with its Aerospace Innovation Centre in Prestwick, Scotland, will now begin the integration process. Around 15,000 employees across these locations will join Boeing.
“Kansas’ aviation expertise reaches far beyond our borders,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “We help manufacture the aircraft the world relies on. Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems underscores the global significance of the work happening in our state and positions Kansas to continue shaping the future of aerospace innovation for decades to come.”
“Wichita would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aerospace industry and made Kansas their home,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. “Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems will help build bridges between Seattle and Wichita and bring new opportunities to the Air Capital of the World. I welcome Boeing back to Wichita and look forward to working with them to build a lasting relationship with the community and its workforce, as well as current and future suppliers, to continue building on the growth we have seen in recent years.”
“Today’s announcement is a great recognition of the world-class talent we have in Wichita,” said U.S. Senator Roger Marshall. “Our workers and the unions that represent them have kept America as the gold standard in aerospace, and they deserve to be at the center of any future investment. I’m grateful that this agreement further solidifies Wichita’s prestige in the industry.”
“Kansas has a rich aviation history, and our region continues to lead the way in designing, developing and manufacturing world-class aircraft that serve the world,” said U.S. Congressman Ron Estes. “Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems continues to build on the successes of a century of U.S. flight. As the flags change at the manufacturing facility in southeast Wichita, I will remain a steadfast advocate for the skilled workforce and communities that make up the Air Capital of the World.”