Boeing opens new 787 vertical fin assembly line

Today's event - attended by elected officials, community and business groups, suppliers, subcontractors and Boeing employees - was highlighted by Governor Gary R. Herbert symbolically pushing a large button bringing electric power to the assembly line.

Ross R. Bogue, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication said "With increasing demand for our products and the development of two new airplanes, this is an exciting time for Boeing.

"Boeing Salt Lake City has a key role in the future success of Boeing Commercial Airplanes."

The new assembly line was designed and built using Lean Manufacturing techniques. These techniques reduced required floor space and increased production capacity without adding new brick and mortar facilities. The 35,000 square feet (3251.6 square meters) state-of-the-art composite assembly line will help improve the efficiency of the final assembly and delivery process at Boeing's 787 facility in South Carolina.

Craig Trewet, director Boeing Salt Lake City said: "Opening this line is a great example of Boeing teammates working together across organisational and geographical boundaries to drive manufacturing excellence.

"It was a team effort between Boeing South Carolina training and development, our Composite Manufacturing Center that produces the vertical fin parts in Washington state, and each and every employee at Salt Lake City."

Above: Boeing 787 Dreamliner production line.

Below: Boeing opens new South Carolina 787 final assembly building. Boeing South Carolina teammates, elected officials and representatives from community and business groups, suppliers and subcontractors tour the new 787 Dreamliner final assembly building in North Charleston, S.C. during the building's opening ceremony on June 10, 2011.

The Boeing Salt Lake City facility currently supports fabrication activities across all Boeing Commercial Airplane models. It is scheduled to deliver its first vertical fin to Boeing South Carolina during the fourth quarter 2011.