Boeing to consolidate defense business, moving jobs

Boeing Co. has announced a plan to consolidate facilities related to its defense, space and security business by moving thousands of jobs to different locations across the United States.

The multinational company that designs, manufactures and sells airplanes, rockets and satellites said it would reduce facilities space by approximately 4.5 million square feet, or 418,000 square meters, by the end of 2020, as part of the plan.

While saying it would close sites in El Paso, Texas, and Newington, Virginia, Boeing highlighted that Los Angeles County in southern California would gain about 1,600 job positions, St. Louis County in Missouri gain 500 positions and Huntsville in Alabama about 400.

However, the same plan of the company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, reportedly included cutting 500 jobs.

In addition, Boeing said "many positions" in Kent, Washington, would move to nearby Tukwila; and Boeing Defence Australia, Boeing Defense Saudi Arabia and Boeing Defence United Kingdom would continue operating independently but at the same time would be managed in a new global operations group.

"In order to push ourselves farther and win more business, we need to make the most of our resources and talent," Leanne Caret, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said in a statement, noting that "making better use of our facilities will enhance efficiency and promote greater collaboration." Endit