Boeing Beefs Up Satellite Plant

SEATTLE-The Boeing Co. will expand and remodel its 1 million-sf satellite factory based in El Segundo, CA to accommodate new business and the transfer of satellite manufacturing from other parts of the company.

Boeing Satellite Systems, with a current satellite backlog valued at about $4.8 billion, has more than 38 satellites on order and plans to add the manufacturing of 12 Block IIF Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), currently under contract to Boeing Space & Communications’ Seal Beach facility. The schedule calls for manufacturing of the first satellite to begin in late 2002, with the contract running through 2008.

“In anticipation of GPS and other commercial and defense business, we are growing our factory by 30 percent,” Randy Brinkley, president of BSS, said in announcing the news. “Simultaneously, we will reconfigure the factory along Lean Manufacturing Practices to enhance our efficiency and competitiveness. These steps will allow us to be agile in our response to market demand and schedule commitments, not only with these new programs but also our continuing line of satellite models – the Boeing 702, 601 and 376 satellites.”

In addition to the integration and test space, the expansion includes a containerization facility and an acoustic test facility.