By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published Oct. 28, 2009

The Boeing Co. plans to stand up a facility in North Charleston — on the opposite coast from its manufacturing hub — that would allow continued production of the Dreamliner in the event of another union strike in Washington.

The North Charleston Dreamliner assembly factory will be equipped to produce three 787s per month at full production, said Tim Coyle, vice president of Boeing Charleston. Parts for the Dreamliner are assembled by supply chain partners around the globe. The plane cannot be pieced together without those parts, one of which — the Dreamliner’s tail fin — is manufactured in Washington.

Though Coyle deferred to Boeing corporate to explain the details, he indicated that the Charleston facility might also have the capacity to replicate certain parts to ensure that production is not hung up by a strike-related supply chain breakdown.

“We are looking at different options,” Coyle said in an interview late Wednesday.

Boeing plans to break ground on a roughly 580,000-square-foot facility next month. It will be located on the campus near the Charleston International Airport alongside Global Aeronautica, in which Boeing has a half interest, and the facility that Boeing recently purchased from supplier Vought Aircraft Industries. The new building will be approximately 360 feet wide by 1,600 feet long, Coyle said.

Production in Charleston will supplement Boeing's Everett facility in order to meet the company's goals of producing 10 Dreamliners per month, Coyle said. Everett, where the initial line is located, is expected to produce seven per month at peak production.

Industry watchers had speculated that Boeing would use a Charleston facility to produce the larger 787-9 derivative model of the Dreamliner, though Coyle said that decision has “yet to be determined.” Initially, he said, Charleston will produce the current 787-8 model.

Coyle said Boeing’s goal is to start production in North Charleston in mid-2011 and to roll the first Dreamliner off the assembly line in Charleston by 2012. To support production, the company will hire about 1,000 mechanics and flight line workers, Coyle said, in addition to support staff. Coyle said it was too early to say exactly how many total employees would be hired.

“The response to that, right now, is we just don’t know yet. What we’re saying is there will be a total of up to thousands of jobs over a period of years,” Coyle said.

The S.C. General Assembly passed an incentive package for Boeing on Wednesday that requires the company to invest $750 million and create 3,800 jobs within seven years in order for tax benefits to kick in.

Lawmakers announced Boeing’s decision earlier this afternoon at the close of a special session in Columbia. The enthusiasm echoed around the state. Here’s a look at the eager responses from S.C. residents, and a few blue comments from Washington.

Comments from political, business and industry leaders on Boeing’s decision:

“I think this decision is one of the most important economic development announcements we’ve had in South Carolina history.”
– Hugh Leatherman, chairman of the S.C. Senate Finance Committee

“They (Washington residents) really tried to put us down as a bunch of redneck country folks that don’t know how to do anything. ... But you have to sell your own attributes. I can go out and tell you, ‘You have an ugly wife,’ but why would I? It doesn’t make my wife any prettier.”
– Keith Summey, Mayor of North Charleston

“Today’s announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business.”
– Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the S.C. House

“Wow! Charleston has changed forever.”
– Brian McGee, chairman of the Department of Communication at the College of Charleston

“This is exciting news, and it shows that South Carolina continues to be one of the best places in the world to do business.”
– U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

“I am absolutely beside myself and thrilled for this community. I just think it’s such a boon to this community, and it bodes well for opportunities for other organizations and companies that will bring more business to Charleston.”
– Anita Zucker, CEO of the InterTech Group, which counts Boeing among its top clients

“It would be BMW on steroids.”
– U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaking in a conference call before the final decision was announced

“Yippee!”
– Mike Carter, local businessman, president and CEO of eGroup

“This is huge.”
– George Morrison, Charleston attorney, McNair Law Firm

“Congrats on your win. We are really depressed up here in Washington.”
– John Monroe, retired Boeing executive and volunteer with the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, of which Everett is the county seat

“What’s important moving forward is that we all understand why these two parties (Boeing and the Machinists union) could not reach an agreement, so that we may play a role in rebuilding this relationship.”
– Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County executive director

“This is a great day for the people and the businesses of South Carolina. We look forward to serving the port requirements of Boeing and working with them as partners.”
– Jim Newsome, executive director, S.C. State Ports Authority

“This is the most important economic development project in our state’s history. It was a privilege to represent The Boeing Co. in this matter.” 
– Leighton Lord, board chairman of Nexsen Pruet, which assisted Boeing in negotiating an incentive package

“I applaud the leadership of the General Assembly for working together to get positive things done for South Carolina. This is a big step in the right direction to put us back on the path to prosperity.”
– Henry McMaster, S.C. attorney general

“This is a transformational day for South Carolina. We now launch ourselves into the aerospace industry in the 21st century.”
– Glenn McConnell, President Pro Tem of the S.C. Senate