Spirit AeroSystems CEO Pat Shanahan has said that the new Boeing company will be “faster and more nimble” after it was confirmed that the two companies would join.
The two companies announced on July 1, 2024, that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Boeing to purchase Spirit AeroSystems in a deal worth around $4.7 billion.
The plan evolved after Boeing searched for ways to increase safety following a year when its aircraft production methods and quality control were called into question.
In an interview with Seattle Times, Shanahan, who took over at Spirit last year, responded to rumors swirling that he is the lead candidate to head up Boeing when incumbent Dave Calhoun leaves later this year.
“It’s not my place to comment on what Boeing might or might not do. I’ll be keeping my eye on getting this deal done at Spirit,” he told the US newspaper.
In terms of the Boeing takeover Shanahan, who was instrumental in getting the deal through, struck an extremely positive tone about the future for all the companies involved.
“Bringing Boeing and Spirit together will enable greater integration. […] It’ll bring together their safety and quality systems and make them better. The new organization will be faster and more nimble,” Shanahan said.
The Spirt boss added: “This is a fabulous industry. I’m proud of playing the role of making it stronger and better.”
As part of the agreement, Spirit will pay Airbus $559 million to absorb the segment of the organization that makes A350 and A220 parts.