SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's manufacturing industry hit a significant milestone this week as Boeing completed its expansion projects in West Jordan and Salt Lake City.
The company also debuted the first 787-9 Dreamliner horizontal stabilizer manufactured completely in Utah. Resembling two smaller fixed wings on the back of an airplane, the horizontal stabilizer helps provide stability in flight.
Components manufactured at the West Jordan site are shipped to Boeing’s Salt Lake airport facility for final assembly of the horizontal stabilizer.
“This accomplishment took everyone’s hard work and dedication in all areas of our business,” said Boeing Salt Lake general manager Larry Coughlin, speaking at an announcement ceremony Friday. “Our recent progress sets the stage for Boeing Salt Lake to become a major composites manufacturing center."
As part of Boeing’s strategy to grow its composite hub in the Salt Lake region, the company purchased the West Jordan composite manufacturing building in 2013 and began production there early this year. Boeing converted the 850,000-square-foot building from a vacant warehouse to a composite fabrication production center with 100 employees.
“For 28 years, our highly skilled Salt Lake team has been building parts and assemblies for Boeing and now has added composite manufacturing to its list,’’ said Jenette Ramos, Boeing Fabrication vice president and general manager. “The team’s experience has helped it build fuselages, flight deck structures, and now key composite assemblies for the tail of the 787. This work is all about the future and it positions Boeing Salt Lake well for many years to come.’’
The company currently employs more than 760 people at several locations along the Wasatch Front. Employees provide design-build and multisource integration of composite tail assembly stabilizer products and flight deck structures, including the 787 vertical fin, the 787-9 horizontal stabilizer, flight deck consoles for all models, assembled components and emergent support.
Additionally, Utah is also home to approximately 250 Boeing defense team employees in Ogden.
“Utah's growing aerospace industry is an important contributor to the state's economy, and Boeing is a key player," said Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. “I am thankful for the strides we have made as a state to make Utah one of the top states in the nation for aerospace manufacturing."