Search

Partnerships paying off for production stability

Boeing sees 40% reduction in supplier-caused rework, 60% drop in engineering response time through collaborative effort.

February 16, 2026 in Commercial, Our-Partners

Michael King, a CNC machinist for Boeing supplier Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., shows off a part he made that will go on a Boeing plane. King, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, completely lost his vision in his 40s. Michael King, a CNC machinist for Boeing supplier Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., shows off a part he made that will go on a Boeing plane. King, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, completely lost his vision in his 40s. (Vanessa Misciagna photo © Boeing)

Supply chain challenges have snarled production and delayed deliveries. Now, two years of focusing on fundamentals, combined with increased transparency, communication and collaboration with suppliers, are paying off, according to Boeing leaders. 

  • This includes a 40% reduction in hours spent reworking problems from the supply chain since March 2024, Ihssane Mounir, Commercial Airplanes supply chain and fabrication leader told the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) conference, an annual event held in Seattle. 

Stable but fragile: Analysts, suppliers and Boeing leaders stressed there is still more to do, especially as production rates increase. 

  • “99% defect free sounds good, but that means there’s still that 1% coming in flawed. It could be one tiny, little defect that stops us,” Mounir said this week. 

Why it matters: Mounir thanked local suppliers for speaking up when they needed help and being quick to offer help in return, highlighting the special partnership Boeing has with the Pacific Northwest supply base. 

  • “It's that kind of partnership that drives the confidence of the market, confidence of the airlines, confidence of the public,” said Mounir.
Get a closer look at Boeing's relationship with Pacific Northwest supplier the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and how it demonstratesthe benefits of collaboration. (Vanessa Misciagna video © Boeing)

Program perspective: Katie Ringgold, leader of the 737 program and Renton site, praised the efforts of the Pacific Northwest supply base for their “willingness to move mountains for our mission.” 

  • She added: “We’re stronger together. Your role is not just to deliver parts on time, but to be an active partner in continuous improvement. Bring your ideas, your innovations and your expertise to the table. 

The power of collaboration: “We rely heavily on the home team to be there when we need them,” said Jeff Carpenter, vice president of Commercial Airplanes’ Aircraft Materials and Structures. “And a lot of that happens through relationships.” 

  • “We believe that having these types of conferences, these types of organizations allow for that camaraderie,” said Pat O’Hara, interim President and CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., a Boeing supplier. “It allows for us to find new ways to do things.”