Boeing Moves To Consolidate 787 Production Out Of Washington

SEATTLE — Boeing has announced that the company will be consolidating production of 787 jets to their South Carolina facility, leaving up to 1,000 workers in Everett in limbo.

Rumors of the move had swirled in the business sector earlier this week, but Boeing only officially announced the move Thursday morning, saying that it was a response to recent pressure from the coronavirus pandemic. According to that announcement, all 787 production will be out of Everett and moved to the North Charleston facility by mid-2021.

The company says they know the change will upset some, but that it was necessary to streamline production.

"We recognize that production decisions can impact our teammates, industry and our community partners," said Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We extensively evaluated every aspect of the program and engaged with our stakeholders on how we can best partner moving forward. These efforts will further refine 787 production and enhance the airplane's value proposition."

Washington State leaders, however, have a less charitable view of the move. Wednesday, before the decision was officially confirmed, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement saying that Washington may have to reconsider some of Boeing's tax breaks if they continue to take work away from Washington.

"Washington state has supported the company with a well-trained workforce, a robust supply line, unparalleled infrastructure, world-class research institutions and the best business climate in America," said Inslee. "If this report is true, it would force a review of that partnership, including a hard look at the company’s favorable tax treatment."

Inslee's office estimates the move will jeopardize up to 1,000 jobs. Boeing claims they are still assessing how many employees will be impacted, and say they will tell those employees directly, as soon as they know more.

“We have asked the Boeing Company multiple times what it needs to keep 787 production in Washington. We’ve heard nothing back," Inslee said. "Nor have we heard anything about how to restart this work when conditions improve. This move would signal an allegiance to short-term profits and Wall Street - not quality, safety and a vision for the future of the industry."

Boeing's Everett facility has built 787-8 and 787-9 model planes since 2007, but the company says is not set up to build the 787-10 model, which can only be built at the South Carolina facility— a large part of their decision to consolidate construction there.

Meanwhile, construction of other Boeing models will continue in Washington for the foreseeable future.

"Our team in Puget Sound will continue to focus on efficiently building our 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplane families, and both sites will drive Boeing initiatives to further enhance safety, quality, and operational excellence," Deal said.

"This news falls hardest on the more than 1,000 Washington workers who build the 787, and many more who face uncertainty as a result of this decision. The aerospace industry will remain a major employer in our state with about 70,000 workers. The state is committed to maintaining support for those companies and workers," said Inslee.