Boeing 737 Production To Increase
Sunday October 4, 2:36 pm Eastern Time
SEATTLE (AP) -- As of Monday, the Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - news) is set to produce one new-model Boeing 737 per business day or 21
a month, three times as many as at the start of the year.
The achievement, following an interim increase to 14 of the twin-engine jetliners a month over the summer, shows that difficulties at the
737 factory in Renton have been largely resolved, said Stephanie Mudgett, a spokeswoman for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group.
A further production rate increase to 24 a month is set for mid-1999 with the additional three planes to come from the old McDonnell Douglas assembly plant in Long Beach, Calif.
As of Aug. 31, Boeing had delivered 77 new-model 737s and held orders for another 1,057.
The 737 problems, ranging from parts shortages to imposition of last-minute certification requirements, were a big factor in about $3 billion in company write-offs over the past year.
''Everybody has come together, and that's what I'm most pleased about,'' said Dennis Vezzetti, operations director for Boeing's Renton division.
|
