Sue Champlain, Community Outreach for Boeing in Washington State, gave a very interesting presentation on “Boeing in Washington – our Future Together.” The presentation began by Sue showing us a promotional video that illustrates all the ways Boeing is invested in our state. After the video, the presentation was divided into past, present, and future.
Boeing was formed by Bill Boeing in 1916, and was housed in the “Red Barn,” a small two story wooden building in Seattle (the Red Barn is now part of the Museum of Flight). In 1917, the company made its first charitable contribution to University of Washington to create a Wind Tunnel, which is still on campus today. That same year, the beginning of WWI, the U.S. Navy ordered 50 Model C planes. When WWII began, Boeing supplied the B-17 and B-29 bombers. Because the men were in the military, many women helped build the planes. In 1942, Boeing built 36 bombers. By 1944, that number had increased 360. You go, girls!
In 1957, Boeing built its first commercial jet, the 707. In 1967, the first 747 was built in Everett.
Today, Boeing is our country’s only commercial jet manufacturer, and the largest defense contractor. Boeing planes are our state’s single largest export, at 53%. They employ 11,300 veterans, 15% of their total state workforce of approximately 80,000. They also employ people with disabilities through the Community Manufacturing Partnership.
Myth vs. Fact
Since Boeing’s corporate offices moved to Chicago several years ago, much misinformation has been circulated about the company, so Sue gave us some reality-checks.
Boeing is Washington State’s largest employer, with about 80,000 employees. That number represents half of the company’s worldwide workforce of 160,000. This is more than any other company, including Microsoft.
There has been steady job growth, at Boeing but also at a number of other aerospace-related industries in the state, since the Aerospace tax incentives were signed into law. The average wage at Boeing is $90,000, while Washington State’s average wage is $55,000.
The Boeing Company actively recruits high school graduates, and puts them to work at good wages. The company will pay for these people to receive a college degrees if they want one.
Boeing has increased the manufacturing of 737s from 42 last year to 52 in 2015. Boeing will continue to increase that number in 2016.
Currently, Boeing has orders for 2,850 planes on the books, the majority are 737s. The 777X will be built in Everett. This plane has a composite wing so long that it has to have a folding tip to fit into hangars and at airports. Boeing is expanding their Everett operation by building a new 1.3 million square foot facility. This project represents a $1 billion investment.
Not only is Boeing growing, its growth is attracting other companies to the area.
Projections show that airlines will need 38,050 new planes globally - a value of $5.6 trillion. To get the largest chunk of those sales, Boeing is making themselves more competitive as Airbus, and now China, are also revving up their production for the same reason.
2016 will be the company’s 100th Anniversary. 2015 was their best year ever, having delivered 700 airplanes. Here’s to another successful 100 years!
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