Spirit AeroSystems targets $2b growth in fabrication and defense

At its Investor Day Sept. 27, Spirit AeroSystems unveiled plans to grow in two key areas: Fabrication and Defense, each of which is expected to exceed $1 billion over the next five years.

Fabrication. Spirit is already one of the largest manufacturers of machined parts in the world, producing more than 38,000 unique parts to support its current aerostructures business.

"There is a huge market for these detailed parts, delivering them directly to original equipment manufacturers," said Spirit President and CEO Tom Gentile. "Fabrication is a good margin business where Spirit has unmatched capability and capacity for both commercial and defense customers."

The company has developed centers of excellence in Wichita for five-axis complex parts and chemical processing. The company also has established a three- and four-axis center of excellence at its McAlester, Okla., facility and is expanding its Malaysia site where it does complex assemblies. Spirit anticipates developing a $1 billion annual business within the next five years by insourcing parts, supplying other tier-one suppliers and expanding business with Spirit's current commercial and military customers. Spirit has named Kevin Matthies as senior vice president of Global Fabrication, reporting to Ron Rabe, senior vice president of Fabrication and Supply Chain. Kevin will work closely with Alan Young, vice president of Wichita Fabrication, to grow the new business.

Defense. Currently, Spirit is supporting the Lockheed/Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter, the Bell Helicopter V-280, the Boeing KC-46A (a military derivative of the 767), the Boeing P-8A (a military derivative of the 737), and has been named as a supplier on the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider program. Spirit's defense organization is expected to be a $1 billion annual business within the next five years and account for about 10-15 percent of Spirit's revenue.

"Spirit Defense has a very strong value proposition for defense contractors," said Gentile. "Our costs are lower, we have commercial best practices we can apply and we have design-build capabilities that many of our competitors do not have."

Spirit has appointed industry veteran Krisstie Kondrotis as senior vice president of Defense Programs and Business Development, reporting to Duane Hawkins, senior vice president/GM Boeing, Defense, Business/Regional Jet Programs and Global Customer Support.

"The launch of these two new business units and the appointment of Kevin and Krisstie will allow more focus on Spirit's strategic initiatives in Global Fabrication and Defense," said Gentile. "It reflects our determination to achieve the next level of performance as the world's premier aerostructures company and to be a trusted partner to the industry."