The 787 Dreamliner has been a driving force in Charleston’s industrial reawakening, having added more than 4,000 manufacturing jobs to the region. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) recently poured millions into expanding and upgrading its manufacturing campus there in an attempt to ramp up production to 10 planes a month by the end of 2013 and beyond. It goes without saying that any major setback to the Dreamliner’s adoption will serve a crushing blow to the city and region.
While Seattle and Charleston fret over each setback, it is much less obvious that Pittsburgh’s industrial economy is caught in the crosshairs as well. The city is home to companies supplying the Dreamliner’s titanium, aluminum, and even its innovative cockpit and passenger windows. With billions of dollars in supply contracts hanging on every twist and turn, investors will want to keep an eye on the continuing saga
Should you run for the hills or stay put? Exhale. Take a deep breath. The two of us — both natives of the Steel City — will break down the potential for disaster and opportunity that lie ahead.
Even without a fix to electrical systems to its beleaguered Dreamliner, Boeing has announced that it will continue production of its 787-8 airliner and brazenly forge ahead and develop its larger sibling, the 787-9. With production lines unfazed (for now) by recent woes, aren’t suppliers in the clear? It seems that way at the moment, but delays bring angry airlines and angry airlines bring lawsuits.
According to The New York Times, Japan’s All Nippon Airways lost an estimated $15.4 million in January by keeping its 17 Dreamliners in the stable. The company has canceled 450 total flights that affected nearly 60,000 customers, which didn’t exactly help its brand. Executive Vice President Kiyoshi Tonomoto said the airline will discuss the possibility of financial compensation once the total effect of the delays becomes clear.
While lawsuits are unlikely to directly affect suppliers, failing to find a timely fix could. After all, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched for airlines to boycott the Dreamliner altogether. Let’s not forget that airlines got along just fine before the 787 arrived. Any pullback in market demand would ultimately lead to fewer aircraft being produced, which will result in less titanium, aluminum, and specialty coatings being supplied. This could end very badly for Pittsburgh-based companies.
How bad?
Before we can understand the ramifications, if any, we need to first realize how deep the relationship is between Pittsburgh-based suppliers and the Dreamliner. What most people don’t realize is that when you’re looking at a Dreamliner, you’re seeing Pittsburgh innovation at its finest.
Take the windows, which are designed using innovations from PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) . They were developed with three goals in mind: simplify maintenance, reduce costs, and enhance the flying experience for the crew and passengers.
The company did just that with windshields kept clear of ice thanks to gold and indium-tin oxide heating systems while passengers can enjoy their flight by looking through Alteos window systems. The Alteos feature electrochromic window shades powered by an interactive system controlled by the passenger. With a simple push of a button, passengers can switch from a bright, clear state to a completely dark state.
Not only was PPG Industries instrumental in the design of the windows but it also supplies the coatings system. This is not your average can of paint. This strippable system of coatings saves airlines time when the plane is in need of a new paint job. Saving time is important because, as they say, time is money.
PPG isn’t the only Pittsburgh-based company bringing innovation to the Dreamliner. In fact the city’s innovation goes even deeper into the structure of the 787. You see, in order for the aircraft to meet the fuel efficiency needs of its customers, Boeing needed to increase its use of titanium. While titanium isn’t as well-known as other commodity metals, it has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. That’s key for increasing fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety. Those properties have made titanium one of the fastest-growing components used by the aerospace industry and a reason why its usage is projected to grow 8.5% annually through 2019.
Overall, titanium composition in Boeing aircraft has gone from 7% in the 777 to 15% in the 787 Dreamliner. This growth has been important for Pittsburgh-based of titanium suppliers RTI International Metals, Inc. (NYSE:RTI) and Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:ATI) as it has led to huge contract wins for both companies. For example, RTI is supplying a precision-machined titanium seat track component as part of a 10-year $900 million contract while fellow titanium supplier Allegheny’s contracts with the aerospace giant are worth billions. Needless to say, both companies have a lot riding on the success of the Dreamliner.
As titanium grows in its importance to Boeing, another metal, aluminum, appears to be losing its importance. What made up 70% of the materials in the 777 is now just 20% of the materials in the Dreamliner. Titanium has taken some of that share, but its composites that have really taken over. This overall trend hasn’t been kind to Pittsburgh-based aluminum giant Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) .
The company is a leading supplier of aluminum-based products, which again make up 20% of the materials used in the Dreamliner. One of the important components Alcoa has developed is the specialty fasteners used to secure the composites and the metals of the Dreamliner. These aluminum and titanium alloy fasteners are both lighter and easier to install.
Still, the Dreamliner will use 80% fewer fasteners and 1,500 fewer aluminum sheets on each barrel section. Needless to say, that isn’t good for Alcoa’s business. It’s one reason why the company is working feverishly to develop new aluminum alloy solutions to be used in next-generation aircraft.
Foolish bottom line
While any massive production delays down the road could be devastating for Boeing, the Dreamliner contracts represent small revenue streams for the companies listed above. Sure, setbacks might lead to a missed quarter or two, but the overall impact on the Pittsburgh economy would be minimally felt, if at all. For instance, the titanium components manufactured by RTI come from facilities in Houston and Montreal. And while the other companies have regional — or even local — production capabilities, their largest contributions to the Pittsburgh economy come from managerial positions at downtown headquarters. It appears that Pittsburgh is cleared for takeoff.
The article Will the Dreamliner Ground Pittsburgh’s Economy? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Maxx Chatsko and Matt DiLallo.
Fool contributors Matt DiLallo and Maxx Chatsko have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and neither does The Motley Fool.
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