FEB 4
- https://www.boeing.com/737-9-updates#updates
In a message to employees, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal said the 737 program will spend several days in the Renton factory to focus on quality, including inspecting some undelivered airplanes for a potential nonconformance prior to delivery.
"In our drive to strengthen quality across Commercial Airplanes, your voice is critical. We asked you and everyone across our production system to speak up. Thanks to all those who have raised concerns and offered ideas.
I want to share a few updates based on the employee feedback. Key among them, the 737 program is going to dedicate several days in the Renton factory this week to focus on this important work, reflecting the premium we place on quality, safety and, ultimately, stability in our factories.
Flagging a potential issue
This past Thursday, a supplier notified us of a nonconformance in some 737 fuselages. I want to thank an employee at the supplier who flagged to his manager that two holes may not have been drilled exactly to our requirements. While this potential condition is not an immediate flight safety issue and all 737s can continue operating safely, we currently believe we will have to perform rework on about 50 undelivered airplanes.
While this issue could delay some near-term 737 deliveries, this is the only course of action given our commitment to deliver perfect airplanes every time. The days we are setting aside in the 737 program will allow time for our teams to complete the inspections and, if needed, perform the necessary rework.
Stopping travelled work
During the Quality Stand Down on the 737 program, many employees voiced frustration with travelled work and how unfinished jobs – either from our suppliers or within our factories – can ripple through the production line. These employees are absolutely right. We need to perform jobs at their assigned position.
We have to maintain this discipline within our four walls and we are going to hold our suppliers to the same standard. We recently instructed a major supplier to hold shipments until all jobs have been completed to specification. While this delay in shipment will affect our production schedule, it will improve overall quality and stability.
We will take advantage of the days in the factory so that our teams can catch up on unfinished jobs across all 737 factory positions. This is what we mean when we say that we will go slow to get it right. Work on the ramp, the flight line and the Seattle Delivery Center will continue as planned.
Implementing improvement ideas
737 program employees submitted more than 1,000 improvement ideas during the Quality Stand Down. Elizabeth Lund and her team have been sorting through the feedback and prioritizing the ideas that can and should be implemented right away.
As an example, the 737 program has set up a team to expedite the purchase of new tools so that all of our teams have the necessary equipment to perform installation work. The program has also ordered additional stands to improve ease of access to certain areas of the airplane.
There are more ideas that need to be refined before they can be put into action. Our teams will use the several days this week to workshop the ideas and try them out on the factory floor.
All of these updates emerged from employees on the front lines. Please continue to speak up and bring to life our core values of safety, quality and transparency as we work to deliver perfect airplanes to our customers."