Mid-Western Aircraft Systems Begins Operations, New Era of Aviation in Kansas and Oklahoma

WICHITA, Kan., June 17 /CNW/ -- Mid-Western Aircraft Systems, a new
company with deep roots in aviation, entered the aerospace industry today as
The Boeing Company completed the sale of its commercial facilities in Kansas
and Oklahoma to Onex Corporation.
The headquarters for the new company is located in Wichita, Kan., with
additional facilities in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla. The Wichita operations had
been owned by Boeing since 1929.
"Today, we begin a new era in our rich heritage of aviation history," said
Jeff Turner, Mid-Western Aircraft Systems chief executive officer. "Being able
to draw on more than 75 years of experience developing, designing, and
manufacturing aircraft and aerospace components, Mid-Western Aircraft Systems
is uniquely positioned to be the company of choice for commercial, general,
regional and military aircraft, and aerospace manufacturers throughout the
world.
"While we will continue our legacy as a premier supplier/partner to The
Boeing Company, we also will pursue new business opportunities in the
industry. Our factories feature state-of-the-art equipment for the production
of metal and composite parts and assemblies, and the expertise of our
employees is second to none," Turner said.
"I'm excited about this new company and the team we've put together," he
continued. "And I'm particularly grateful to the employees for their talents
and their confidence in the potential of Mid-Western Aircraft Systems. This is
the right team. This is the right place. This is the right time."
Mid-Western Aircraft Systems, the world's largest independent supplier of
structures for commercial aircraft, currently designs and builds part of every
Boeing commercial aircraft currently in production, except the 717. It
produces the entire fuselage, engine nacelles, and pylons of the 737, as well
as nose sections, nacelles, and pylons for the 747, 767, and 777 aircraft. The
company also has design and manufacturing responsibilities for the forward
section, engine pylons, and the fixed and moveable wing components for the 787
airplane.
The new company also designs and produces slats, flaps, forward trailing,
and leading edges for 737 wings, together with slats and floor beams for the
777 airplane, and wing and fuselage components for the 747 airplane.
Additionally, Mid-Western Aircraft Systems produces parts for various
government and military programs.
Mid-Western Aircraft Systems also designs and fabricates complex tooling
for aircraft manufacturing and assembly. The company has the experience and
capability to provide spare parts for fuselage, nacelles, thrust reversers,
and wing components for commercial, defense, or general aviation aircraft.
Mid-Western Aircraft Systems is an independent company controlled by Toronto-
based Onex.
Onex Corporation (Toronto: OCX.SV) is a diversified company with annual
consolidated revenues of approximately $18 billion and consolidated assets of
approximately $13 billion.
Onex has global operations in service, manufacturing, and technology
industries. Its operating companies include Celestica Inc., Magellan Health
Services, Inc., ClientLogic Corporation, Cineplex Galaxy LP, J.L. French
Automotive Castings, Inc., Res-Care, Inc., Emergency Medical Services
Corporation, Cosmetic Essence, Inc., Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., and
Radian Communication Services Corporation. Onex shares trade on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the stock symbol OCX.SV.
Boeing announced the sale of its commercial operations in Wichita, Tulsa,
and McAlester to Onex in February 2005.