Facility Is Expcted To Be Open For Business Late This Year

Boeing marked progress on its newest 787 Dreamliner interiors fabrication facility with a special ceremony commemorating placement late last week of the last steel beam on the building. The beam – signed by hundreds of construction workers and Boeing employees – was hoisted into place as a ceremonial tree was placed atop the building. The tree, to be planted on Boeing property, signifies good luck, prosperity and safety to building occupants. 

"This is an exciting day for Fabrication as it puts us one step closer to producing innovative 787 interiors for the South Carolina final assembly and delivery team," said Lane Ballard, director Interiors Responsibility Center. "We are also pleased to honor the construction workers who have worked so diligently on this project, and are responsible for the progress thus far."

The 300,000 square feet (27,871 square meters) state-of-the art facility, located in the Palmetto Commerce Park in North Charleston, S.C., is about 10 miles from the Boeing South Carolina site. The proximity of the two facilities will help improve the efficiency of the final assembly and delivery process in South Carolina.

The Interior Responsibility Center South Carolina team will manufacture 787 interior parts at the new facility, including stowbins, closets, partitions, class dividers, floor-mounted stowbins used by flight attendants, overhead flight crew rests, overhead flight attendant crew rests, video-control stations and attendant modules. 

Today's event was held in conjunction with BRPH and Pattillo Construction Corporation, the design-builders of the facility. Construction began on the new fabrication facility in September 2010 and will continue through the fourth quarter of 2011, when it is scheduled to open.

FMI: www.boeing.com