Boeing Considers Closing Wichita “Tanker” PlantDecember 02, 2011
In its decade-long pursuit of the $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract, Boeing has pledged that winning the contract would mean thousands of jobs for its Wichita, Kansas plant. Now, after winning the contract — and despite heavy lobbying by Kansas state and local officials — Boeing might be on the brink of pulling the plug on its Kansas facility. According to an article in BusinessWeek, Boeing acknowledged that it is reviewing its options, including the possibility of closing the Wichita plant. The plant specializes in modifying commercial planes for military use, according to the BusinessWeek article. It has about 2,100 employees. Boeing noted that while the facility specializes in work related to the aerial refueling tankers, the first tankers are not expected in Wichita until 2014. With little work to keep employees active until then, the facility looks likely to close. But the power brokers that helped Boeing win the contract are unlikely to fold so quickly. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback noted that as recently as April 2010, Boeing said a significant portion of the tankers would be built in Kansas. “We’re going to hold Boeing Co. to those words,” Brownback told BusinessWeek. “This is a serious matter.” |
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