Spirit AeroSystems top engineer to lead Wichita site after Boeing deal closes -letters

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By Allison Lampert

(Reuters) -Spirit AeroSystems’ chief engineer Sean Black will lead the supplier’s site in Wichita, Kansas, after Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit this year, according to letters to employees on Tuesday from both companies.

U.S. planemaker Boeing last year said it had reached an agreement to acquire the struggling aerostructures manufacturer, which it had spun off two decades ago. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.

Black will become general manager of Boeing Wichita, and hold responsibilities for parts of Spirit’s portfolio in Prestwick, Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland, letters from Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope and Spirit CEO Pat Shanahan show.

The letters seen by Reuters suggest that some work at Belfast and Prestwick not absorbed by European rival Airbus would go to Boeing, as part of the transatlantic carve-up of Spirit that has sparked lengthy negotiations.

Airbus expects to finalize an agreement to take part of Spirit’s assets, such as the production of wings for its A220 jet in Belfast, by the end of April.

Canada’s Bombardier said in February it could acquire part of Spirit’s Belfast operations that produce parts for its Challenger and Global private jets, or do business with a different buyer.

Spokespeople for Boeing and Spirit Aero declined comment on the Belfast and Prestwick plants. Bombardier was not immediately reachable for comment.

Pope said in the letter that Boeing continues “to make progress” with its acquisition plan.

After the acquisition, Black will report to Pope, who is also executive vice president of Boeing.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio)