Boeing joints with KL firms

Boeing joints with KL firms

SEATTLE (AP): Boeing Co. said Thursday it had joined with
three other companies in a joint venture in Malaysia to make
composite parts for commercial aircraft.

Boeing will join Hexcel Corp. of Kent, Washington, and
Malaysia's Sime Darby Berhad and Malaysia Helicopter Services in
the venture, to be known as Asian Composite Manufacturing.

The composite parts will be made in Malaysia, shipped to
Hexcel's Kent factory for final assembly and then delivered to
Boeing and other customers worldwide.

Financial terms of the joint venture were not disclosed.

The composites plant will be built in Alor Setar, in the
northern region of Malaysia near the Thailand border. Although
the plant will make parts now produced by Boeing and Hexcel, both
companies said they do not anticipate laying off any U.S.
workers, since demand for jetliners remains strong.

The Malaysia factory will employ about 375 people and is
expected to be completed in 18-22 months.

Composites are tough, lightweight materials made by combining
fibers and resins. The new factory will make parts for wing
fairings, aircraft surfaces and inspection access doors, among
others.