Boeing to cut 300 defense jobs, close facility in El Paso

16 November, 2016

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The Defense, Space & Security business division of Boeing Co. plans to cut 300 jobs and to close its El Paso facility within the next four years as part of a corporate facilities consolidation, the company announced.

“In order to push ourselves farther and win more business, we need to make the most of our resources and talent,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO, Defense, Space & Security. “These steps will help us be a stronger partner for our customers worldwide.”

Some of the El Paso jobs will be sent to Huntsville, Alabama. The El Paso facility manufactures electronics for military and aerospace products. It employs engineers, assemblers, and office staff.

Records show Boeing has cut 7,000 jobs in the last years. This figure represents 4% of its workforce.

By the end of 2020 Boeing will reduce facilities space by approximately 4.5 million square feet. Along with that, many positions in Huntington Beach will move to El Segundo, Long Beach, and Seal Beach in Southern California, with others moving to St. Louis and Huntsville, Alabama, the company informed.

“Making better use of our facilities will enhance efficiency and promote greater collaboration. This will help drive our global growth in Boeing’s second century,” Caret said in a statement.

Recently, personnel from the corporate offices came to El Paso to announce the closure to Boeing´s employees.

“We are surprised by Boeing’s announcement, especially after working with them for two years to help work toward obtaining their FAA certification that would have allowed Boeing to diversify their operations. As soon as I was notified, my office immediately reached out to Boeing’s local leadership to offer assistance in helping prevent this closure,” said El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser.

In 2014, Boeing reduced its El Paso operations by laying off about 160 people and closing two of its three-building complex in the Northeast area. Records show the company employed more than 1,000 workers in 2000, but then began a series of cuts that drastically reduced their workforce.

Nancy Gonzalez/MexicoNow

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