Spirit AeroSystems plans to lay off hundreds of workers at its Wichita, Kan. facility over the next few weeks, according to an internal memo seen by Wichita-based KSN. The company’s management is blaming its high debt load and a slower production rate at Boeing for the layoffs.
“The recent slowdown in the delivery rate on commercial programs compels a reduction to our workforce in Wichita,” a company spokesman told Reuters. “In the coming weeks, we will inform affected employees. We are committed to implementing this transition in as compassionate a manner as possible.”
The memo said about 400 employees would be terminated during the layoffs, but the company has not yet confirmed the figure. The manufacturer is currently completing 737 fuselages at a rate of around 31 per month. It expects to remain at this rate through the rest of this year.
