GKN Aerospace has won a contract for the final assembly and painting of advanced-technology (AT) winglets for the new Boeing 737 MAX. The work will be carried out at a 57,000 sq ft facility due to open towards the end of the year in Sumner, Washington State (near Boeing’s 737 MAX Final Assembly Plant in Renton). This will employ about 75 people when full production is under way.

The contract adds to GKN’s existing work package, manufacturing and performing initial assembly on 50% of the 737 MAX AT winglets. To support this new facility, Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington State Department of Commerce have approved an incentive package for GKN; this includes assistance with training new employees.

Kent Fisher, vice-president and general manager of supplier management at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “GKN is a long-time valued supplier to Boeing, and we are pleased that our relationship has resulted in this additional work package. We are happy that the investments made by Boeing and our suppliers in the 737 MAX are resulting in the creation of jobs in our local communities and will continue to spur economic opportunities in Washington State for years to come.”

Boeing says that the 737 MAX will be 14% more fuel-efficient than the current version of the Next Generation 737s and 20% more fuel-efficient than the original Next Generation 737s when they first entered service. More than 2,600 737 MAX aircraft are on order.

Daniele Cagnatel, the CEO of GKN Aero-structures North America, said: “This work expands our role with Boeing on the AT winglet, allowing us to provide a turn-key product to the Boeing Renton facility. Completing the assembly and painting near the 737 MAX Final Assembly Plant provides logistical advantages and support for emergent requirements. Over the long term, we expect the Sumner site to support additional assembly and painting needs.”