ypayretail
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posted on March 21, 2001 02:49:13 PM new
What a blow to our Seattle economy and what is next?
Today Boeing announced plans to relocate the Corporate office and 400-550 employees. There are three cities in the running. The two I heard were Chicago and Dallas - I cannot remember the other one.
This was kept under tight wrap until announced today. They say they want to be closer to their International dealings - IOW - closer to being competitive with Airbus as they are losing out right now. Also said traffic problems was part of the reason - imagine that! If you live here you know what I mean.
Sad for Boeing as it was started here in 1916 by Bill (I think) Boeing.
YPayRetail2 on ebay
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Borillar
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posted on March 21, 2001 02:52:30 PM new
I am sorry to hear that, from Portland to the south of you.
I imagine it will be Texas, as they'll get the biggest benefit from Dubya. Of course, Dubya just picked a fight with Russia over Chechnia -- we'll see how long it'll be before we send in the troops over there.
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RainyBear
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posted on March 21, 2001 02:55:50 PM new
My husband told me earlier but didn't have all the details. At the time I thought they were pulling out lock, stock and barrel -- manufacturing and all. What a relief it was to learn that it's only the corporate HQ which will be moving... at least for now.
When I thought everything was moving, my first thought was that the bottom would fall out of the real estate market, especially in the suburbs (where I live).
Is there *any* good news with the economy, local or otherwise, these days? It seems not.
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ypayretail
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posted on March 21, 2001 02:59:03 PM new
Alot of people interviewed feel this is only the beginning. Several of their major parts suppliers are in the East - so logistically it would behoove of them to move factories as well.
RB,
I WISH I WISH - the house prices are so high here.
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RainyBear
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posted on March 21, 2001 03:01:00 PM new
Well, it *would* be nice to see people moving out of Seattle, LOL!
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HJW
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posted on March 22, 2001 08:54:49 AM new
Dick Conway, a Seattle economist, on Boeing's plan to move it's headquarters said, "It has made us forget the earthquake all of a sudden."
Good story here...
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/22/business/22BOEI.html
Helen
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Twelvepole
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posted on March 22, 2001 09:25:32 AM new
I believe the other city was Denver, but I think they will end up in Dallas.
But they did say they would be leaving the manufacturing plants alone... for now.
Ain't Life Grand... 
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NearTheSea
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posted on March 22, 2001 10:28:10 AM new
Yes the third city is Denver.
So being its only the Corporates moving out, there still will be major traffic.
They will still be the manufacturing plants, and thats A LOT of employees
[email protected]
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mrssantaclaus
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posted on March 22, 2001 10:49:35 AM new
Is there any word on the health of the plant in Philly? My brother works there.
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lswanson
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posted on March 22, 2001 11:03:18 AM new
What was Boeing's logic for the move?
I can't see them moving to TX just because the cost of living is cheaper. The cost of moving far outweighs any savings.
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RainyBear
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posted on March 22, 2001 11:30:15 AM new
There's a lot of information about the Boeing move here:
http://www.komotv.com
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ypayretail
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posted on March 22, 2001 12:07:23 PM new
Their position on the move is that they want to newly establish themselves as a competitive airline manufacturer. In order to accomplish this they feel that they need to be more centrally located especially when dealing with International meetings etc. They also said they want an area more professionally set to handle their Corporate office and are looking for an area with high engineering talent. (Big slam on Seattle here). They also used traffic as an excuse but that probably had nothing to do with the reason - just an added bonus -getting away from it. The second major reason was to keep costs down.
The decision was made 3 years ago and was kept hush hush. All local aerospace news reporters as well as the Governor were suprised at the announcement (or claimed to be).
From all indications it does look like Dallas will be the winner. They keep harping on lowering costs and the cost of living in Dallas is 13% less than Seattle. They said they will begin the move this Summer and be in place in Fall. A total of 1,000 employees will be affected and only 500 or so will be invited to re-locate. All others will be laid off.
The machinists union is very upset and has filed a complaint. With whom or what exactly the complaint is I am not sure. The leader was on the news having a fit. I am sure they see that common sense would say that if Boeing is interested in being centrally located and a lot of their parts suppliers are in the East then the manu may soon follow and leave Seattle.
We'll see how this all plays out this summer.
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ypayretail
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posted on March 23, 2001 05:25:40 PM new
and what is next... announced today that the 757 production currently manufactured in Renton is moving to Kansas. Affects 500 workers.
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ubiedaman
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posted on March 23, 2001 10:26:16 PM new
I FREAKED when I read the headline the other day..I as Rainy thought they were moving the WHOLE9YARDS  outta town...what ?, 80,000? jobs in manufacturing?..Please be thankful for the interim that it is ONLY execs, etc.!
Losing 80,000 jobs would be equivalnet(sp) to a LOT of earthquakes!!!
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
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bobbysoxer
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posted on March 24, 2001 02:23:19 PM new
Will the last person to leave Seattle, please turn off the light?
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bobbysoxer
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posted on March 26, 2001 12:12:43 AM new
Is Washington a hostile place for business?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SeattleTimes.woa/wa/gotoArticle?zsection_id=268466359&text_only=0&slug=boebusiness26m&document_id=134277428
[ edited by bobbysoxer on Mar 26, 2001 12:16 AM ]
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ktsclutter
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posted on March 26, 2001 06:19:04 AM new
In MHO, Seattle is less dependant on the economics of the Boeing plants here than it was in the '70's when the infamous signs requested the "last person leaving Seattle please turn out the lights." It is also my opinion that Boeing's decision to move it's headquarters is more of an attempt to remove itself from the emotional aspect of it's union contract negotiations as they become more fervent with greed. One of my boys has worked for the Boeing flight test crew for years. The amount of money he is paid to literally sit around waiting for a plane to arrive for final inspection is absurd! He hates his job as it is so boring. Spends most of his time playing games on the computer along with the other members of his shift crew. Find a more challenging job? No way! Can't earn the money presently paid him anywhere else.
Another aspect of Boeing's move, and what I believe to be an eventual move of most of the manufacturing, will be to empty out our freeways. Remember when Boeing shut down it's plants from Christmas to the New year? You could actually get to and from Seattle without the stop and go traffic. Wouldn't that be an unexpected blessing in this move? Anyone who tries to get in and out of Seattle from the surrounding bedroom cities on a daily basis must be harboring some sense of relief at the thought of 98,000 drivers absent from I-5. I personally hope they move everything.
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