Goodrich opens plant to support Boeing Dreamliner

Goodrich Corporation officially opened its new state-of-the-art nacelle integration facility, Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services Inc., in Everett, Wash. The 140,000-square-foot building will be used for engine integration and final assembly of the nacelle inlet cowl for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services is located at 2615 94th Street SW in Everett, adjacent to the company's Landing Gear facility, on property leased from the Snohomish County Airport. Goodrich owns the building.

Staffing for the new facility has already begun, with employment expected to total 35 by mid-2007. Employment levels will parallel 787 production and will increase in 2008 to about 80, mainly in production roles, adding to a substantial existing Goodrich presence in Snohomish County.

Goodrich was chosen by Boeing in April 2004 to provide the nacelles and thrust reversers for both the General Electric and Rolls-Royce engine options on the 787. The new building will incorporate the Lean design and manufacturing processes that Goodrich uses to produce world-class nacelle systems.

"This is an innovative site for an innovative airplane," said Curtis Reusser, president of Goodrich Aerostructures. "Lean principles have affected every aspect of this building, from the utility infrastructure to the flow of material through the building, enabling us to better meet the needs of the game-changing airplane program."

Another guiding principle of Lean design and manufacturing is collocation of customers and key suppliers. "By locating right next to 787 final assembly, we can better serve our Boeing customer with just-in-time delivery, close collaboration and real-time issue resolution," said Dave Castagnola, Goodrich Aerostructures Vice President for Boeing Programs. "This location also demonstrates our long-term Goodrich commitment to Boeing and the 787."

The integration of the Goodrich-built nacelles at the Everett facility will include installing nacelle hardware onto the engines that will enable the installation of the propulsion system directly onto the aircraft. Flight test units will be built in 2007 and full production will begin in 2008.

In addition to the nacelles and thrust reversers, Goodrich is providing the following technologies to Boeing for the Dreamliner: flight deck lighting system; cabin attendant seating; cargo system; wheels and electric braking system; exterior lighting; proximity sensor system; flight deck entry video surveillance system; fuel quantity indicating system and fuel management software. In addition, Goodrich has been selected by Rolls-Royce to provide the engine control system and sensor suite for the Trent 1000 engine, an engine option for the 787.