WICHITA- Airbus and Boeing are reportedly nearing a possible collaborative agreement to divide the troubled supplier Spirit AeroSystems operations, according to individuals familiar with the matter.
This arrangement would entail each company assuming responsibility for specific plants necessary to support their primary aircraft programs.
Airbus, Boeing Splits Spirit Aerosystems
If this endeavor proves successful, it will culminate in Boeing’s two-decade-long endeavor to outsource crucial components of its production process. Reuters reported that this move comes amid Boeing’s ongoing challenges, intensified by a significant crisis following a mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX aircraft in January.
However, to reclaim authority over its supply chain, Boeing must navigate its relationship with its chief competitor, Airbus, which contributes approximately one-fifth of Spirit’s revenues.
According to sources, the world’s only two major commercial aircraft manufacturers are exploring methods to disentangle their respective connections with Spirit through a meticulously timed “framework” agreement.
One of the sources mentioned that all three companies are engaged in discussions with each other, although the exact format of these discussions remains unclear. It is uncommon for Airbus and Boeing to collaborate directly, except on matters related to environmental or safety concerns, due to antitrust considerations. Additionally, it is not immediately evident if they have convened face-to-face meetings.
Previously, Boeing appeared poised to acquire the entirety of Spirit as a single entity before addressing the process of divesting worldwide factories that predominantly serve its European competitor.
A spokesperson for Spirit stated, “From an organizational standpoint, our priority remains delivering the highest quality products to our customers. This commitment remains unchanged.”
The potential agreement to divide and integrate Spirit would hasten a shift in strategy within the aerospace sector, as aircraft manufacturers increasingly bring airplane structures in-house in anticipation of forthcoming significant investments in digital manufacturing technologies.
Biggest Supplier of Boeing
Spirit was spun off from Boeing in 2005 and promptly diversified its operations to supply Airbus, now its second-largest customer after Boeing. It remains a major supplier for Boeing, manufacturing approximately 70% of the components for Boeing’s popular 737, including the fuselage, and providing substantial parts for the 787.
Last month, Reuters reported that Boeing was exploring options to divest Spirit’s operations supplying Airbus following a potential full acquisition of the Wichita, Kansas-based company. This consideration partly stemmed from concerns that European regulators might oppose Boeing’s control over these operations.
Any proposed framework deal would still necessitate regulatory approvals. Discussions are ongoing regarding which Spirit assets would be transferred to Airbus under a more coordinated framework arrangement, but reaching an agreement is uncertain, according to sources.
Airbus A350 and A220 Parts
Industry insiders suggest that the assets most crucial to Airbus include Spirit’s Kinston composite parts factory in North Carolina, which manufactures a key section for the A350 wide-body aircraft, and Spirit’s A220 wing factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
While Airbus initially appeared hesitant to engage in discussions, it has indicated its opposition to Boeing obtaining any insight into A350 planning or costs or withholding resources from Airbus, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Spirit, with a market value of nearly $4 billion, has reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions with Airbus regarding the potential sale of its unprofitable Belfast facility.
Uncertain Future
According to sources, despite attempts to formulate a comprehensive agreement, the involved parties have yet to reach a consensus on the valuation of the Spirit plants supplying Airbus.
Insiders in the industry suggest that Airbus may need to invest upwards of $1 billion to enhance the affordability of producing wings in Belfast, particularly for the A220 aircraft, designed in Canada, in a bid to turn its financial performance around.
In any potential deal, Spirit’s primary Wichita facility, responsible for manufacturing 737 fuselages and significant components of the 787 Dreamliner, a competitor to the Airbus A350, would be transferred to Boeing.
The future of Spirit’s smaller facilities in Morocco, Scotland, and Malaysia remains uncertain. Further, according to one source, third parties may be interested in acquiring some of these assets.
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