Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. [NYSE: SPR], the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, today broke ground on a new 5,378-square-meter facility in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Spirit is building the plant in Saint-Nazaire to receive center fuselage frame sections for the Airbus A350XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) commercial aircraft from its facility in Kinston, N.C., USA. Sections designed and manufactured in North Carolina will be shipped across the Atlantic, received in Saint-Nazaire, and assembled before being transported to Airbus as "Section 15."  

"Today's groundbreaking ceremony significantly highlights Spirit's global scope," said Dan Wheeler, Spirit vice president/general manager, North Carolina Business Unit. "This new facility will allow Spirit to serve our customer, Airbus, by assembling composite barrels for the A350 center fuselage section and delivering a high-quality product."  

Spirit won a contract with Airbus in May 2008 to design and produce the A350XWB's composite center fuselage structure, known as Section 15, which will be approximately 65 feet long, 20 feet wide and weigh nearly 9,000 pounds. The company also will produce the front spars for the aircraft's wings at the Kinston plant, which is scheduled to be operational in 2010.  

"The aerospace industry plays a major role in the region of Pays de la Loire," stated Mr. Joël Batteux, Mayor of Saint-Nazaire and President of la CARENE. "Région Pays de la Loire, Département de Loire Atlantique, and CARENE welcome new businesses to the area to develop employment and promote high skill levels. The presence of Spirit AeroSystems in this region will definitely strengthen the competitive aerospace industry of the area."  

Partners assisting in the groundbreaking ceremony included la Sous-Préfecture de Saint-Nazaire, la Région des Pays de la Loire, le Conseil Général de Loire Atlantique, la CARENE, la commune de Montoir de Bretagne, des représentants de la CIALA, et des Chambres Consulaires.