Boeing completes SC plant purchase

Boeing completed acquisition of the business and operations of Vought Aircraft Industries’ South Carolina facility, where a structure for the 787 Dreamliner is built. The purchase was originally announced July 7. The plant in North Charleston will be called Boeing Charleston, which will be managed by the 787 program, and will continue to perform fabrication, assembly and systems installation for 787 aft fuselage sections. (Source: Boeing, 07/30/09) Gulf Coast note: Boeing is competing against Northrop Grumman/EADS to build an aerial tanker for the Air Force. EADS wants to build the plane assembly plant in Mobile, Ala.