Innovation DECEMBER 2015–JANUARY 2016 41 oppor tunity technology continues to influence innovation at Boeing. The country in western Europe is home to worldclass manufacturing and automation technology that is helping shape Boeing’s future. “If you look at the technology that is on our airplanes and the innovation that comes from Germany, it’s just staggering,” said Matthew Ganz, president of Boeing Germany and Northern Europe and vice president of European Technology Strategy. Germany is the largest economy in Europe, and Ganz said the real strength lies in small- to medium-sized businesses, known as the Mittelstand. Many of Boeing’s local suppliers fall in that category. Ganz pointed to Liebherr- Aerospace Lindenberg, which Boeing selected to design and manufacture the folding wingtip system for the 777X, as well as the advanced jetliner’s leading and trailing edge actuators. “These are important 777X systems and they’ll be built here by our suppliers,” he said. In 2014, Boeing and its supply chain partners spent more than $800 million with German suppliers in support of Boeing Photo: A view of Berlin, the home of Boeing Germany headquarters. SHUTTERSTOCK
Frontiers December 2015 - January 2016 Issue
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