Spirit AeroSystem has unveiled plans to grow in fabrication and defense, each of which it says could exceed US$1 billion over the next five years. Spirit already produces more than 38,000 unique parts to support its current aerostructures business, the company says. ‘There is a huge market for these detailed parts, delivering them directly to original equipment manufacturers,’ said Spirit CEO Tom Gentile. ‘Fabrication is a good margin business where Spirit has unmatched capability and capacity for both commercial and defense customers.’ The company has developed centers of excellence in Wichita, Kansas for complex parts and chemical processing. The company also has established a center at its Oklahoma, facility and is expanding its Malaysia site. Spirit anticipates developing a US$1 billion annual business within the next five years by insourcing parts, supplying other tier-one suppliers and expanding business with its current commercial and military customers. Spirit has named Kevin Matthies as senior vice president of Global Fabrication, reporting to Ron Rabe, senior vice president of Fabrication and Supply Chain. Kevin will work closely with Alan Young, vice president of Wichita Fabrication, to grow the new business.
Defense segment
In defense, Spirit is supporting the Lockheed/Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter, the Bell Helicopter V-280, the Boeing KC-46A (a military derivative of the 767), the Boeing P-8A (a military derivative of the 737), and has been named as a supplier on the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider program. Spirit says that the defense segment is expected to be a US$1 billion annual business within the next five years and account for about 10-15% of Spirit's revenue. The company has appointed industry veteran Krisstie Kondrotis as senior vice president of defense programs and business development, reporting to Duane Hawkins, senior vice president/GM Boeing, defense, business/regional jet programs and global customer support.
This story is reprinted from material from Spirit, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
