UAE’s aerospace and defense industry engineering backbone EPI is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to support the world’s largest aerospace company Boeing’s wide-body jet airliner 787 Dreamliner.
Aluminum trailing edge ribs will be machined by EPI for use in the 787 commercial aircraft and have dedicated assembly lines at its Abu Dhabi facility. The manufactured components will go through the surface treatment plant at EPI.
The plant, which was built in April last year, is part of a partnership between the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (Boeing), Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun) and EPI to construct a chemical processing factory to boost its current production capability. It is aimed for original aerospace equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to shift beyond machining and into aircraft assembly.
Khalid Al Breiki, President – Mission Support, EDGE, said: “In recent years, the UAE has significantly amplified its domestic manufacturing capabilities and the opportunities facilitated by Tawazun – between Boeing and EPI – contributes to this rapidly growing infrastructure. Backed by our industry-leading expertise in specialized equipment and engagements with other leading OEMs, we are proud to expand our support for the 787 programs and are focused on delivering high-quality components for Boeing and its customers.”
He further added: “Our continued relationship with Boeing is symbolic of the partnerships we build and value. Today’s announcement expanding EPI’s manufacturing capabilities is an encouraging indicator for the region’s aerospace and defense industries and we look forward to exploring similar opportunities in the coming years.”
“This contract with EPI will expand the capability and capacity of Boeing’s global supply chain while supporting further development of the UAE’s aerospace industry,” said Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Adding to the statement he said, “EPI as a new supplier for the 787 Dreamliner, is a prime example of our mutually beneficial approach to engagement in the UAE.”
EPI is part of the Mission Support Cluster within EDGE, an innovative technology group for defense and beyond, which was inaugurated in November 2019.
