Sun, Nov 09, 2003
End Of A Tradition?
Ever since the very
first Citation was built, every Cessna jet made has rolled off an
assembly line in Wichita (KS). But that may soon change.
Quoting company sources, the Wichita Eagle reports
Cessna is considering building the Mustang at its plant in
Independence (KS). The rumors apparently have enough juice behind
them that the machinists union has officially asked Cessna what's
up.
"We asked them if they were looking at this thing going to
Independence," said Steve Rooney, president of the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "They said there's
been no decision made on it."
Earlier this week, when asked about where the Mustang will be
built, senior vice president for product engineering Jack Pelton
said "it's not a given" that the work will be done in Wichita.
Right now, all of Cessna's piston-powered aircraft are made in
Independence. Sources tell the Eagle Cessna executives are
divided over whether they should build the $2.5 million, 6-place
Mustang in Independence.
For instance:
- Labor is cheaper in Independence
- There's a lot of unused space at the Independence plant right
now
- It could give Cessna a chance to rethink the way it builds
airplanes, rethinking its business strategy and minimizing
costs
Is Cessna Shopping?
There's some speculation in the industry that Cessna may be
trying to pull a Boeing. The world's largest maker of commercial
aircraft put its headquarters on the auction block a couple of
years ago, openly shopping for the best possible deal on taxes and
amenities and ultimately ending up in Chicago (IL). Now, Boeing is
shopping for a place to build the new Dreamliner, the 7E7.
But Rooney says the Mustang should be built along with the rest
of Cessna's jet fleet in Wichita. "We've got experienced jet
manufacturers here, and we've got plenty of experienced laid-off
jet manufacturers" in Wichita, he said.
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