New Facility To Be Constructed In Russia

Boeing announced Tuesday it has formed a joint venture with Russian firm VSMPO-Avisma to make titanium parts for 787 Dreamliners.

The venture, called Ural Boeing Manufacturing (UBM), will have a 50 percent share owned by each company and is scheduled to begin operations in Russia in 2008, according to Reuters.

"UBM will machine titanium forgings for use on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner," Boeing said in a statement.

Gary Baker, a 27-year Boeing veteran, has been named UBM's chief executive officer.

"Through UBM and the joint partnership of Boeing and VSMPO-Avisma, we will expand our capabilities in titanium products and increase our overall efficiency and productivity," said Baker.

VSMPO-Avisma was already a titanium supplier to Boeing, as ANN reported, as well as Airbus, Embraer and other aerospace firms and is the world's largest titanium producer. The company's majority is owned by the Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

The new facility will be located in Verkhnaya Salda, VSMPO-Avisma's headquarters in the Ural Mountains in Russia.

The forgings produced by UBM will undergo finishing at Boeing's plant in Portland, Oregon as well as by other subcontractors.

FMI: www.avisma.ru, www.boeing.com, www.roe.ru