Spirit AeroSystems project to bring up to 200 jobs to Kinston

Spirit AeroSystems will add 150 to 200 jobs at its plant in the Global TransPark in Kinston over the next five years. Workers will produce aircraft wings for Gulfstream G250 aircraft.

Posted 1:08 p.m. Jul 20, 2011 — Updated 1:38 p.m. Jul 20, 2011

KINSTON, N.C. — Spirit AeroSystems is bringing more work and jobs to its assembly plant at the Global TransPark in Kinston.

The company says it will add between 150 and 200 jobs over the next five years to work on production of wings for Gulfstream G250 aircraft. The project is a new one for the Kinston facility.

In a separate announcement, Spirit said the project was being moved from its Tulsa, Okla., facility.

"We have evaluated a variety of options to offset the development cost growth and to improve manufacturing costs on the program, while creating the necessary capacity in our Tulsa, Okla., facility for multiple growth programs," said Phil Anderson, chief financial officer at Spirit. "The transition of the G250 wing to North Carolina is the right long-term cost mitigation plan and the best long-term solution for our customer and Spirit as we manage the company's growth."

The company said it would take a $53 million charge against earnings to cover cost of the move.

Spirit committed to creating 1,036 jobs through the year 2014 as part of its agreement to receive state tax incentives.

The Kinston plant is currently used to assemble composite fuselage and wing parts for the Airbus A350 jet.

The deal for the Gulfstream wings means Spirit will add capabilities for metallic structures and to service general aviation, according to Gov. Bev Perdue’s office.

"This is the next step in our evolution in North Carolina and further diversifies the work being done at the Kinston site," said Dan Wheeler, general manager of the Sprit operation, in a statement. "We've enjoyed tremendous support from our North Carolina partners and look forward to executing on our two aircraft programs."

Spirit is based in Wichita, Kansas.

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