PARIS, FRANCE — Boeing's 737 MAX production boost: Balancing speed and supply chain stability.
In a press conference held in advance of the Paris Airshow, Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), announced that Boeing intends to expedite the augmentation of its 737 MAX production volume. The aviation giant aims to elevate production of its flagship jet to 38 per month, sooner than the year-end target originally set. The current rate stands at 31 jets monthly.
Deal, however, tempered expectations by noting the ongoing obstacles within the supply chain. He cautioned that each increment in the production rate might be accompanied by supply chain volatility due to the emergence of new challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a significant blow to labor forces, a crucial factor in maintaining industry efficiency, he said. This present situation contrasts with previous production acceleration efforts prior to 2019, which also faced supply chain instability.
In response to these issues, Boeing has initiated a comprehensive review of its supply chain quality. High-ranking officials from its tier-one supply chain, including CEOs, other top executives, and quality and engineering personnel involved in the production of major aero-structures and sub-assemblies, are partaking in the review, Deal said. The move is seen as a significant step toward bolstering resilience in the face of these persistent challenges.
