Key Points:

  • Tom Gentile, CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, unexpectedly fired amid quality and financial crises.

  • Persistent defects in parts supplied by Spirit to Boeing have caused significant setbacks for the latter.

  • Spirit, in substantial debt and grappling with its financial health, appoints Pat Shanahan as interim CEO.


WITCHITA — Pat Shanahan steps in to steer Spirit through turbulence.

Navigating Through Crisis: Pat Shanahan Takes Helm at Spirit AeroSystems

Following an abrupt dismissal of CEO Tom Gentile amidst financial disarray and recurrent revelations of part quality defects supplied to Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems of Wichita, Kan., witnessed an immediate leadership restructuring over the weekend. The board appointed Pat Shanahan, a former senior vice president at Boeing, and a Trump administration’s defense deputy secretary as its interim head. Shanahan radiates confidence amidst the tumult, committing to stabilize operations and enhance cash flow through collaborative discussions with stakeholders.

Quality Defects in Supplies Disturb Boeing’s Recovery Efforts

Boeing’s recovery endeavors post-737 MAX crashes and the COVID-19 pandemic have faced recurrent obstructions owing to defects in major parts supplied by Spirit. The situation plummeted further with the discovery of improperly drilled holes in the MAX fuselages and mismanufactured fittings attaching the MAX’s vertical tail fin, resulting in extensive, labor-intensive fixes and delivery cutbacks during peak seasons. The discovery of out-of-tolerance gaps in the 787 airframes from various suppliers, including Spirit, stunted 787 deliveries for 19 months, culminating in a staggering $6.5 billion cost to Boeing.

Pervasive Financial Challenges Engulf Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit’s financial health reveals a stark predicament, with debt registering at $3.7 billion against a mere $526 million cash in hand as of June’s end. The crisis has fueled speculation regarding Boeing possibly reacquiring Spirit, despite previous dismissals of such an action at the Paris Air Show and bearing in mind Boeing’s substantial $38.5 billion debt and extended resources. Spirit, while not solely dependent on Boeing, still draws a substantial 45% of its revenue from the 737 MAX program, as per the last year’s financial filings, establishing the imperative to mend the strained relations and contracted financial distress caused by cascading defects in 737 and 787.

New Leadership Initiates Reconstruction Amidst Crises

Shanahan, now at the helm, is tasked not only with mitigating further quality lapses and finalizing repairs but also reevaluating contracts to ensure Spirit’s financial viability. The former Boeing executive is expected to leverage his intimate knowledge of the industry to navigate contract negotiations with Boeing, and similarly with Airbus, as Spirit is financially hemorrhaging on the European jetmaker's A350 and A220 programs as well. The industry looks on as Shanahan embarks on the path to restructure and rehabilitate Spirit, with discussions anticipated to unravel publicly during Spirit's third-quarter financial results announcement on Nov. 1.

As Boeing extends financial aid, alongside Airbus, and dispatches teams to assist Spirit in managing their manufacturing processes, the latter's path towards stability under the oversight of interim CEO Shanahan and the looming search for a new permanent CEO remains under keen industry scrutiny. Even as speculations and proposed solutions, such as a potential buyout of Spirit by Boeing or establishing a supplementary 737 MAX fuselage production line, circulate within industry circles, Shanahan remains at the forefront, navigating through crises and steadying the destabilized ship that is Spirit AeroSystems.