Triumph recalls 21 workers to its West Plains plant
Reversing a steady decline of manufacturing jobs, Triumph Composite Systems Inc. has a bit of good news: It’s recalling workers.
The aerospace firm that bought Boeing Co.’s plant on the West Plains is preparing for an uptick in business that requires 21 more employees, said company spokesman Dick Welsh.
It’s a dose of good news for the company, which purchased the parts factory 21 months ago.
“We’re optimistic that maybe this is the start of something more,” he said.
All 21 workers being recalled are unionized Machinists. The move will bring total employment at the Triumph plant to 318 beginning Nov. 1.
Triumph workers design and manufacture floor panels and ductwork for Boeing aircraft. Although the company is free to pursue contracts with other aircraft companies, its Spokane plant is dependent on supplying parts to Boeing.
Welsh said Boeing needs more parts to fulfill orders for its 737 and 777 aircraft.
It’s a business boost that should be steady for at least the next year, Welsh said.
The recalls are a welcome change for Triumph. The company laid off employees earlier this year when orders appeared to slow.
Welsh said the company is aggressively seeking new customers, although it hasn’t yet landed a major new contract outside of Boeing.
When Triumph purchased the plant, the deal struck with Boeing included an 8-year sole supplier agreement for floor panel and ductwork. In essence, Boeing agreed that it would only buy those parts from Triumph for its existing models of airplanes.
So when Boeing announced it was pinning its future on a new jet made of composite materials, the Triumph plant employees were in the unfamiliar position of trying to figure out how to win a contract from their former employer. That work continues.