The expansion will support increased Boeing aircraft production rates.
Aerospace Composites Malaysia (formerly Asian Composites Manufacturing) was formed in 1998 as a Boeing/Hexcel joint venture for composites fabrication and minor parts assembly.
Hexcel is a key supplier of composite materials to Boeing.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes is the customer for nearly all of ACM’s output. ACM produces flight surfaces for all Boeing’s commercial programmes, including the next-generation 737, 747-8, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.
Aerospace Composites Malaysia
Malaysia was chosen as the location for the joint venture because of its skilled workforce, role as a long-term Boeing customer, and its plan to become an aerospace hub in Asia.
The US$17 million investment in ACM by Boeing and Hexcel adds 125,000 ft2 to a factory footprint that now totals 440,000 ft2. This includes a clean-room expansion of 11,000 ft2 and installation of $5 million in new equipment.
The added capacity is expected to be partially used to begin production of 787 fixed leading edge panels in 2014.
ACM, located in Kedah, is also expected to grow its workforce beyond its current 950 employees.