Airbus reported to be opening A320 assembly plant in USA
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Before everyone starts bashing the quality of Airbus for building a plant in the US, remember that Boeing aircraft are made in the US and China....
(the only ac engines that routinely explode are made in the UK)
Why in Alabama?
Two things,
Right to work state, and
both start with 'A'
(the only ac engines that routinely explode are made in the UK)
Why in Alabama?
Two things,
Right to work state, and
both start with 'A'
Last edited by FlightPathOBN; 28th Jun 2012 at 22:56.
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racedo
I believe that is correct, Airbus had intended to build A330 there if they would have won the USAF contract.
FlightPath OBN
You are correct about Alabama, except I am not sure about the "A".
Even Boeing has placed a second plant in South Carolina (non-union/right to work state) to assemble the Boeing 787s. The first assembled aircraft from this plant will fly at the international airshow in the UK. This was done over the objections of the union folks in Seattle, WA, but that is life today in the US to remain competitive in the international market.
I believe that is correct, Airbus had intended to build A330 there if they would have won the USAF contract.
FlightPath OBN
You are correct about Alabama, except I am not sure about the "A".
Even Boeing has placed a second plant in South Carolina (non-union/right to work state) to assemble the Boeing 787s. The first assembled aircraft from this plant will fly at the international airshow in the UK. This was done over the objections of the union folks in Seattle, WA, but that is life today in the US to remain competitive in the international market.
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China would be far more likely than Europe. The business climate in Europe is similar to California's.
Boeing has been in China market for more than 90 years and has been procuring aerospace parts for 737, 747, 767, 777, and the dreamliner 787. These include horizontal stabaliser, vertical rear spoiler, rear fusalage section, boarding door, wing panel, and other parts for 737; trailing edge fixings for 747, and aileron, spoiler board, and inside flap for the 747-8, etc. For the 787 dreamliner, Boeing is procuring from China its rudder, wing and fusalage fairing surfaces, rear spoiler, and composite parts.
Although Boeing does provide the figure for the procured value on a yearly basis, following facts and figures are an indicator of its commitment and size of operation:
Total procured value for the past three decades has been in excess of 1.5 billion US Dollars; The total value of new subcontracts signed for 737, 747-8 and 787 in 2007 was approximately five hundred million dollars; The total value of supply contracts and subcontractys with AVIC group companies has far exceeded 2.5 billion dollars; Boeing is by far the biggest buyer of aerospace parts in China. It also comprises approximately 53% of China's current fleet, in comparison to Airbus' 36%, and has become the main forces in China's passenger and cargo fleet. Forecast that in total 4330 new aircrafts, among which 3090 single aisle, 890 double aisle aircrafts, 70 super-jets, and 330 cargo jets will be delivered in China during the next 20 years;
Its tier one suppliers include: CAC, Chengdu Rudder for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Front boarding door for the new 737 (signed with Sprint in 2008) Emergency Exit for the new 737 (signed in 2008) Aileron and spoiler for 747-8 (exclusive, first delivery in 2009) Horizontal stabaliser and subcomponents (signed with Vought in 2007)
HAIC, Harbin Wing and fusalage fairings for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Vertical rear spoiler for 787 (signed in 2007)
AVIC Shanghai factory Horizontal stabalizer for the new 737 (signed in 1995 and has delivered 1400 aircrafts)
AVIC Shenyang Vertical rear spoiler front for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Rear fusalage section for the new 737 (signed in 1996 and has delivered 400 aircrafts)
AVIC Xian Vertical rear spoiler for the new 737 (signed in 1995 and has delivered over 1200 aircrafts) Fixed trailing edge for the 747 (exclusive, delivered over 550 aircrafts) Inside flap for 747-8 (signed in 2007, first delivery in 2009) Flooring support and subcomponents for 747 converted cargo aircrafts.
As for Bama, as part of the US Tanker offer, Airbus were looking to build a few different aircraft there, A330 and A320 being but two. Given the Airbus Military sales strategy, they are looking to sell A330 MRTT for the KC-Y Tanker recapitalisation program, which requires something bigger than the Frankentanker Boeing build. I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of that strategy. Skilled workforce, cheap real estate and non unionised.. Not to mention the state assistance and initiatives offered by the good folks down south. All things considered, (Global demand, economic conditions, future sales strategies, cost of manufacture etc) Alabama makes pretty good sense as far as I can see.
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One wonders if this is such a great decision, considering Mobile's history of hurricanes, and the fact that both the airports seem to be situated on land that could suffer from storm surge.
I guess it would make moving large fuselage and wing sections from the docks easier though.
I guess it would make moving large fuselage and wing sections from the docks easier though.
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Mobile Downtown Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brookley Air Force Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There has been major aerospace work done at the field for many years. It has a deepwater port and a major railhead.
Mobile Alabama Hurricanes
Brookley Air Force Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There has been major aerospace work done at the field for many years. It has a deepwater port and a major railhead.
Mobile Alabama Hurricanes
Last edited by Um... lifting...; 29th Jun 2012 at 10:49.
Thread Starter
It's funny how first impressions stick, but that was mine. By the way, I got back in the car and was over the state line into Mississippi before I stopped again. And despite using that road once or twice since, I've never set foot in Alabama since, and I always recall the unpleasantness when passing the ship.
Trash du Blanc
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Well, as a lifelong Alabamian and a former Mobilian, I apologize.
Come on back. Shrimp n grits on me.
By the way Katrina tilted the battleship 6 degrees - she's actually sitting on a sandbar. They had to build a cofferdam and re-float her to straighten things out.
Excellent aviation museum next to the ship - SR-71, B-52, many fighters, and a WWII submarine.....
Come on back. Shrimp n grits on me.
By the way Katrina tilted the battleship 6 degrees - she's actually sitting on a sandbar. They had to build a cofferdam and re-float her to straighten things out.
Excellent aviation museum next to the ship - SR-71, B-52, many fighters, and a WWII submarine.....
Ok,I'll bite.
(the only ac engines that routinely explode are made in the UK)
You learn something new everyday.....
CF6 FAILURES
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WHBM - I lived there developed a market and set up a manufacturing facility for a well known UK Aerospace company. The support I personally and we as a company recieved from the county, the state and the US Senate was nothing short of excellent. Shame the UK doesn't have the same proactive approach.
Huck - The shrimp was great but I could never get on board with Grits.. no matter how much Laura - The owner and most excellent chef at Sweet Gum Bottom bed and breakfast in Andalusia tried.. butter, salt, cheese, fruit, you name it..
Huck - The shrimp was great but I could never get on board with Grits.. no matter how much Laura - The owner and most excellent chef at Sweet Gum Bottom bed and breakfast in Andalusia tried.. butter, salt, cheese, fruit, you name it..
Last edited by Alloa Akbar; 29th Jun 2012 at 11:46.
Plenty of challenges with this decison. Nearly all can be solved with a little hard work and dedication except one.
Good luck in translating the manuals, charts, process instructions from German, French and actual English into the dialect of southern Alabama, west Florida and southeast Mississippi
Oh, I forgot, "LA" is an exotic local known as "Lower Alabama"
Sarcasm aside, I love visiting the area and the people there.
Good luck in translating the manuals, charts, process instructions from German, French and actual English into the dialect of southern Alabama, west Florida and southeast Mississippi
Oh, I forgot, "LA" is an exotic local known as "Lower Alabama"
Sarcasm aside, I love visiting the area and the people there.
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Quote:
So are we gonna see Boeing being assembled in Europe?
Parts of Boeings are already manufactured in China and Japan.
So are we gonna see Boeing being assembled in Europe?
Parts of Boeings are already manufactured in China and Japan.
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Shrewd move. I like it. As a certain US politician once said "Once you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow". So stick a plant in the US and threaten to lay off their workers if local orders don't follow. I remember a certain blue computer manufacturer doing the same to the UK government regarding an assembly plant in Greenock.
PM
PM
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With Boeing, there are no British wings that I am aware of...
For Airbus,
Broughton is home to the headquarters of the Wing Centre of Excellence. Located in North Wales, the plant is responsible for sub-assembly and manufacturing of large components and wing final assembly for the entire Airbus family. In addition, it carries out large component machining and treatment of components greater than 18 metres in size, including wing skins and stringer sections. More than 5,000 people are employed at the site. Activities include wing skin milling, stringer manufacture, full wing equipping and wing box assembly.
Airbus Centres of Excellence*| Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer
Anyone can build a tube, the wings and the wingbox are the secret sauce....
I would note that quite a bit of A350 wing design is done in the US, which given the 787, wonder if the 350 will be worked in AL...
hahaha Both Airbus and AL begin with "A"
For Airbus,
Broughton is home to the headquarters of the Wing Centre of Excellence. Located in North Wales, the plant is responsible for sub-assembly and manufacturing of large components and wing final assembly for the entire Airbus family. In addition, it carries out large component machining and treatment of components greater than 18 metres in size, including wing skins and stringer sections. More than 5,000 people are employed at the site. Activities include wing skin milling, stringer manufacture, full wing equipping and wing box assembly.
Airbus Centres of Excellence*| Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer
Anyone can build a tube, the wings and the wingbox are the secret sauce....
I would note that quite a bit of A350 wing design is done in the US, which given the 787, wonder if the 350 will be worked in AL...
You are correct about Alabama, except I am not sure about the "A".
Last edited by FlightPathOBN; 2nd Jul 2012 at 20:19.