I wanted to share another way our team in Renton is ramping up for our next 737 rate increase. In January, we’ll deliver the first airplane built at our new rate of 35 airplanes a month, an increase from 31.5. A key part of that rate hike will be our new 737 wing systems and installation line.
A look at the new wing line in Renton.
The new line is located in our Final Assembly building in Renton, just north of the old location. Our team will install hydraulics and electrical systems into wings that are built in a different building. They’ll have about three months to practice and get used to the new line before the rate break. The line will eventually run at higher capacity to support the increase to 42 airplanes a month in the first half of 2014.
Once again, employee brainpower was used to make this line much more efficient. Mechanics from all parts of the wings team took part in a series of workshops where they came up with new ideas. For example, the old systems and installation area used three wing lines — one right-hand, one left-hand and one variable — to install the systems. But the new area is made up of two lines with one row for right-hand wings and one for left-hand wings.
It’s this kind of teamwork that will lead to successful rate increases across the board. Thanks to everyone involved for their hard work and contributions.
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