Anna Forrester
Construction has begun on Boeing‘s new facility in St. Louis that will house composite manufacturing operations for the 777x commercial aircraft and potentially generate 700 jobs for the community.
The company said Tuesday the composites center will cover an area of 367,000 square feet and expand the existing tooling center at the location.
Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Military Aircraft Cross-Enterprise Design/Build, said the company wants the future facility to build on its aerospace composite capability in the region for both commercial and defense aircraft.
The St. Louis site, which is also the Boeing Defense, Space & Security headquarters, is on its 75th year and has originally produced military aircraft.
Boeing said it expects construction on the new composites facility, which will feature six autoclaves, to complete in 2016 and construction of 777x wing and empennage parts to begin the following year.
The company also has another 777x composite wing center in Everett, Washington, where it will fabricate and assemble the composite wing as well as assemble the entire aircraft.
