Says Onex Will Go Ahead With Sale Of Wichita, Tulsa, McAlester Plants

From: GRP Wichita/Tulsa Transition

Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 9:30 AM

To: DL Wichita Users

Subject: Message from Jeff Turner [General Manager, Boeing Commercial Aircraft]

May 26, 2005

To Wichita, Tulsa, and McAlester employees

Today Onex confirmed its intent to complete the purchase of our commercial operations. The decision to move forward is a significant milestone in the history of our sites and our communities. I personally am having mixed emotions -- saddened to be leaving the comfort of a familiar company, but thoroughly excited at the prospect of becoming independent.

Our partnership with Boeing is far from over. Included in this sale are guarantees of long-term work agreements between Mid-Western Aircraft and Boeing. We build great products for some of the best airplanes flying today. But now our expertise can open new doors for us. To paraphrase what I said on Feb. 22 when Onex was introduced: We have before us a future full of possibilities, a future that reaches beyond Kansas and Oklahoma, beyond Boeing, to the entire world marketplace.

There will be obstacles, but I have confidence in our skills, our performance, and our quality. When the sale is closed, we will need to forge strong partnerships because we will have our future in our own hands.

Thank you for your diligence and focus throughout the sale process.

That alone is a testament to how good our new company can be.

Jeff

[Courtesy Wichita Eagle]

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.onex.com