Boeing held a ground breaking ceremony at its North Charleston, South Carolina, site on November 20 to mark the start of construction on its 787 final assembly and delivery facilities there.
“Today’s event marks the beginning of an expansion plan that will strengthen the 787 program and allow us to continue building on the footprint we have established in South Carolina with Boeing Charleston and Global Aeronautica,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Locating the second line in North Charleston will allow Boeing to successfully compete in the aerospace market and grow for the long term benefit of many stakeholders.”
Boeing announced on October 28 that it had chosen Charleston as the location for a second 787 final assembly line and delivery facility.
Interestingly, Albaugh said in a speech that while the second assembly line for the 787 would be key in ramping up production, it would actually create jobs back in Seattle as well. “Our decision to come to South Carolina will be good for our competitiveness, for our customers, and for our country. And it will create jobs in both South Carolina and Puget Sound,” he said.
