Spirit AeroSystems

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Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Type Public (NYSE: SPR)
Founded 1927 (in 2005, company took on current name)
Headquarters Wichita, Kansas, USA
Key people Jeff Turner, CEO
Industry Aerospace and defense
Products Aerostructures
Space systems
Revenue N/A
Employees 8,600 (09/27/2005)
Website www.spiritaero.com

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. ("Spirit" NYSE: SPR), based in Wichita, Kansas, is the world's largest first-tier aerostructures manufacturer. The company builds several important pieces of Boeing aircraft, including the fuselage of the 737, portions of the 787 fuselage, and the cockpit (referred to as "Section 41" by Boeing) of nearly all of its airliners. Spirit's main competition comes from Vought Aircraft Industries, Goodrich, Alenia, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Spirit formed when Boeing Commercial Airplanes sold its Wichita division to investment firm Onex. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems retained its military business in Wichita, which lies on neighboring land. The Wichita division was responsible for construction of many important aircraft in Boeing's history, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-47 Stratojet, and B-52 Stratofortress. Spirit can trace its legacy back even further to Stearman Aircraft, which was founded on the same site. Stearman later became part of Boeing. Spirit also includes North American Aviation's former Tulsa and McAlester facilities (both in Oklahoma.)

On January 31, 2006, BAE Systems announced it had agreed to sell its aerostructures business to Spirit.[1] The BAE unit, which was renamed Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Ltd., is a major supplier to Raytheon (5%), Airbus (80%), and Boeing (15%). The transaction was completed on April 1, 2006. With this purchase, Spirit is no longer catastrophically dependent upon a single customer for business.

After planning to take Spirit public,[2] at initial public offering on November 21, 2006, the firm's stock rose 10% on the first day.[3] Onex still owns 58% of Spirit, which results in 92% of voting power, as its shares confer "supervoting" power.[3]

Former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) serves as a labor consultant for Spirit.[1]

[edit] Facilities

Nose section of a Boeing 787-8 airliner, unveiled at Spirit Wichita for the first time.
Enlarge
Nose section of a Boeing 787-8 airliner, unveiled at Spirit Wichita for the first time.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Onex' Spirit AeroSystems To Acquire BAE Systems Aerostructures." Official press release.
  2. ^ "Spirit AeroSystems Planning Initial Public Offering." The Wall Street Journal. June 30, 2006.
  3. ^ a b "UPDATE: Spirit Aero, AerCap Lift Off Post-IPO >SPR AER." The Wall Street Journal. November 21, 2006.

[edit] External links


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