Boeing Receives First Composite Parts from Strata

Boeing has announced Strata Manufacturing has delivered its first advanced composite parts as its direct supplier.

The company, based in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, delivered its first shipset of 777 composite ribs to Boeing Fabrication facilities in Washington state earlier this year. These structural components were installed in the vertical fin and horizontal stabilisers for a 777–300ER (Extended Range) that will be delivered to Emirates Airline this year.

Kent Fisher, vice president and general manager, Supplier Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said;

Boeing is working closely with Mubadala as they invest to increase production of advanced composites, Strata’s first delivery of composites to Boeing is a significant achievement in our effort to continue building a capable, competitive supply chain for our products.

The two companies signed a framework agreement back in 2009 to develop mutually beneficial initiatives in areas of strategic alignment, including composites manufacturing. In 2011, the companies said Strata would become a major Tier 1 supplier to Boeing and later announced that Strata would supply 777 ribs, 787 Dreamliner vertical fin ribs and the 787 vertical fin.

Back at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, the two companies announced that Mubadala would have the opportunity to supply as much as $2.5 billion in advanced composites and machined metals to Boeing commercial programs, including the 777X and 787.