SEATTLE (AP) -- The Boeing Co. has announced a major agreement to improve efficiency on assembly of the new 787.
Under the deal announced Friday, Boeing is acquiring Vought Aircraft Industries' interest in Global Aeronautica LLC for undisclosed terms.
Global Aeronautica operates a fuselage subassembly facility for the 787 near Charleston, South Carolina. Once the deal is complete, that operation will be a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company in Italy.
Vought will continue to produce the aft fuselage for the 787 at a plant adjacent to Global Aeronautica.
Boeing's 787 program vice president, Pat Shanahan, says the move is designed to help ''overcome supply-chain challenges.''
