Manufacturer Expands Used Servicable Materials Inventory to Ease Pressure on Suppliers

In true Halloween fashion, a new Boeing program is looking to bring in more to-be-retired aircraft parts to give operators more steady access to replacements. The planemaker estimates the Used Serviceable Materials (USM) market to be worth upwards of $7 million, meaning the project could be a financial lifeline for both Boeing and commercial operators.

“By enhancing our USM capacity, we are not only providing airlines with a reliable source of parts but also maximizing the value of their retired fleets,” said William Ampofo, senior vice president of Boeing Parts and Distribution and Supply Chain. “We are evolving to meet customer needs, as they seek to navigate the complexities of supply chain disruptions while maintaining operational integrity.”

Under Boeing’s new Aircraft Recycling Program, airlines can consign their aging aircraft to the manufacturer for teardown. Boeing oversees the dismantling process, working with part-out specialists like ecube, then certifies and resells components that check all the boxes. In return, the original operators receive a share of the proceeds.

Boeing is also investing heavily in distribution, recently opening a warehouse in Cologne, Germany, to speed delivery for European operators who no longer want to wait for parts from the U.S. The program’s expansion follows a surge in demand for spare parts as airlines accelerate fleet maintenance and retrofit schedules alongside backed-up new-part suppliers.

The recycling push is hardly new territory for Boeing; it helped found the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association in 2006, serving a very similar role to its current effort without the consignment and revenue-sharing model.

“As we look to the future, it is clear that effective lifecycle management is not merely an operational necessity but a strategic imperative for the aviation industry,” added Ryan Faucett, Boeing’s vice president for environmental sustainability. “With material recovery rates of up to 90% for metallic airframes, this offering can reduce waste to landfill, provide relief to supply chain constraints, and offer a return on investment for our customers.”

FMI: www.boeing.com