Boeing C-17 program enters second phase of production rate and reduces work force

Boeing C-17 program enters second phase of production rate and reduces work force

2011-01-21 00:43:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Boeing Company on Thursday announced that its C-17 program entered its second phase of production rate and work force reductions.

The move is part of a transition announced last year that will reduce the production program's work force by approximately 1,100 jobs by the end of 2012. In addition, Boeing entered a new production rate of 10 C-17s per year.

In this way, Boeing will deliver 13 C-17 Globemaster III air lifters in 2011. In 2010, the company delivered 14 C-17s. The move was announced in February 2010 and will be completed this summer.

As a result, the second shift at the C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach will be eliminated. This move was designed to extend the line as Boeing expects to receive additional international orders.

"Reducing the number of C-17s we deliver every year - and doing that with a smaller work force - will allow us to keep the production line open beyond 2012, protect jobs, and give potential customers more time to finalize their airlift requirements," said Bob Ciesla, C-17 program manager.

Boeing will provide assistance for impacted workers in seeking potential positions elsewhere within the company. Ciesla added that Boeing has informed their employees about this process for the last year.

The work force reduction will impact primarily the Long Beach facility where approximately 900 of the 1,100 reductions will occur. The other 200 reductions will impact employees in Macon, Georgia, Mesa, Arizona, and St. Louis, Missouri.

The C-17 program has an annual economic impact of approximately $5.8 billion. Furthermore, the program supports around 25,000 supplier jobs in 44 states. IT is currently in its 18th year of service and has supported several military transport, humanitarian and disaster-relief missions worldwide.

Boeing has delivered 226 C-17s worldwide so far, including 20 to international customers including UK, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, NATO and others.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-21