Opening in mid-2010
Spirit AeroSystems announced in May 2008 that it would expand its operations in the United States and build a new facility in Lenoir County, North Carolina, near the city of Kinston. The company broke ground Sept. 15, 2008, on a new facility to be constructed at the North Carolina Global TransPark to accommodate new work packages and provide design-build capabilities.
As of July 2009, site progress includes ahead-of-schedule completion of the structural steel erection. Concrete crews are working on placing the slab on grade and have completed a majority of the mezzanine concrete placement. The autoclave rings have been assembled on the site and the structural steel for the autoclave enclosure has been erected. The site has temporary power and mechanical and electrical equipment is being installed. The DOT onsite roadway installation is progressing on schedule and the temporary railcar loading area is being constructed offsite. Click here to see the progress so far.
Other activities related to site development include: the relocation of a century-old cemetery from a portion of the site; the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation beginning design of the interior roadway system; and North Carolina Railroad beginning preliminary design for the new rail spur that will connect the Spirit facility and an existing rail line to the port at Morehead City.
Major structures for the Airbus A350 XWB will be produced at this 585,000-square-foot facility, where Spirit hopes to add other work in the future. Spirit expects to commence operations at the new facility in mid-2010.
Spirit AeroSystems Breaks Ground On North Carolina Facility (news release)
Spirit AeroSystems Europe wins Airbus A350 XWB contract for wing leading edge (news release).
Spirit AeroSystems secures Airbus A350 XWB contract; announces U.S. expansion (news release)