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Boeing, the U.S. aerospace giant, has managed to secure new stocks of fasteners for its 737 MAX jets after a significant fire disrupted one of its supplier's operations. In February, a fire broke out at a factory run by SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, leading to a bottleneck in the supply of specific fasteners such as nuts and bolts that are crucial for attaching landing gear to aircraft.
A source informed Reuters that Boeing has obtained new supplies in recent weeks, though at elevated prices. A Boeing spokesperson mentioned that the company does not anticipate “a near-term impact to commercial production” despite the challenges posed by the fastener shortage. Anonymous sources noted that without these components, production could potentially be halted.
Price increases for essential fasteners, which can already cost hundreds of dollars each, have been projected to see double-digit percentage rises. These increases reflect the heightened costs of materials and labor that fastener producers face. Titanium fasteners supplied by SPS, used in assembling modern aircraft like the 737 Max, 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350, are particularly affected. The incident has drawn attention to potential impacts on aircraft prices and delivery schedules due to the tariffs imposed by the previous U.S. administration.
