Lightweight metals manufacturer Alcoa has signed long-term contracts with Boeing for the supply of multi-material fastening systems for every Boeing platform and for the supply of ready-to-install titanium seat track assemblies for the entire 787 Dreamliner family.
The two contracts build on last year’s deal with Boeing for flat-rolled aluminium sheet and plate products which established Alcoa as a sole supplier to Boeing for wing skins on all of its metallic structure airplanes.
Under the terms of the first contract, Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings will supply advanced titanium, stainless steel, alloy steel, aluminium and nickel-based superalloy fastening systems for every Boeing platform, including the 777X, the 737 MAX and the 787 Dreamliner.
The second agreement will see Alcoa become the sole supplier of ready-to-install titanium seat track assemblies for all three members of the 787 Dreamliner family of airplanes.
Under the agreement, Alcoa Titanium & Engineered Products (ATEP) will provide seat tracks for the 787-10 Dreamliner on top of the seat tracks for the 787-9 and 787-8 variants which the company provided as part of an earlier contract signed in 2007.
Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld said two contracts – valued at over $2.5 billion – will allow the two companies to establish deeper collaboration on new, high-strength and corrosion-resistant alloys, including aluminium-lithium.
“Alcoa has positioned itself to win in a multi-material aerospace industry, and these deals are the latest proof points that our strategy is working,” Mr Kleinfeld said.
“We are proud to partner with Boeing as it delivers sophisticated airplanes to meet the world’s increasing demand for air travel.”
