With 4,200 Orders, End Of Strike Is Key To Recovery

Boeing confirmed it has restarted the production of its 737 MAX aircraft, and with orders for 4,200 of its best-seller, hopes are rising that the company’s recovery is on solid ground.

Although the ramp-up is facing supply chain issues, the company’s goal is to return to pre-strike production levels as soon and safely and efficiently as possible.

The company said in a statement, “Our team has worked methodically to restart factory operations in the Pacific Northwest. We have now resumed 737 production in our Renton factory, with our Everett programs on plan to follow in the days ahead.

“We used our Safety Management System to create program-specific plans to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential risks at each stage of the restart. Over the last several weeks, we dedicated time toward training and certification, ensuring parts and tools are ready, and completing work on airplanes in inventory to prepare for the resumption of production at pre-work stoppage levels.”

Prior to the strike, Boeing was on track toward its goal of producing 38 planes per month, a cap specified by the FAA following two accidents and a door plug blowout. That goal will now take longer to achieve because of the strike, according to EVP and CFO Brian West in the company’s October earnings call.

In November, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker visited the Boeing’s Renton factory and met with workers and Kelly Ortberg, the company’s new President and CEO. The visit also was intended for him to observe how the FAA’s mandated safety management system principles are guiding the company’s processes after the strike. Boeing has in the meantime expanded employee training programs and implemented new technologies for that purpose.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/