Boeing said on Monday that it had closed a $4.7 billion deal to buy Spirit AeroSystems, a major supplier that builds the body of the aerospace company’s 737 Max jet.
The deal was nearly two years in the making and is an important element of Boeing’s efforts to improve manufacturing quality after a January 2024 flight in which part of a Max blew off at 15,000 feet. The harrowing episode resulted in no serious injuries but it cast a harsh light on the deficiencies of Boeing’s manufacturing process.
“Bringing together our companies strengthens our efforts to improve safety and quality throughout our factories, operations and supply chain,” Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s chief executive, said in a message to employees.
The part that blew off the Max jet last year — a “door plug” that filled an unused emergency exit — had left Boeing’s factory without the bolts that secure it. Workers had removed the plug at the factory to address a defect in the fuselage made by Spirit but no one replaced the bolts after that task was completed.
Spirit, which is based in Wichita, Kan., was created 20 years ago after being split off from Boeing. In recent years, it had been battered by losses and quality problems. In buying Spirit, Boeing will gain closer control over that work and take on more than 15,000 employees in Wichita, Dallas, Scotland and Tulsa, Okla. Including the cost of Spirit’s debt, the all-stock deal will cost an estimated $8.3 billion.
Spirit makes fuselages for the 737 and major parts of other Boeing military and commercial jets. Spirit also made parts for Airbus, which is acquiring factories where that work is done.
The door plug mishap last year prompted congressional hearings and new leadership at Boeing. The company has spent nearly two years working to improve manufacturing quality.
Niraj Chokshi is a Times reporter who writes about aviation, rail and other transportation industries.
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