Boeing’s 737 chief to retire at year-end amid factory snarl

Bloomberg

The head of Boeing Co.’s 737 jetliner programme and site manager for the Seattle-area factory where the popular narrow-body plane is manufactured will retire at the end of the year.
Scott Campbell is stepping down after three decades at Boeing, a career that encompassed all of the company’s current commercial aircraft product lines. He’ll be replaced by Eric Lindblad, who is overseeing development of the 777X, Boeing’s upgraded twin-engine jetliner, according to a memo sent to Boeing employees.
The two executives will also be working in tandem to get production back on track at Renton, Washington, where dozens of 737 jetliners are parked awaiting engines or other delayed parts. Problems at two key suppliers coincided with a production increase in June to a record 52-jet monthly pace at Boeing.
“Earlier this year Scott came to me expressing his desire to retire and spend time with his family, and I asked him to stay on for a bit longer,” Kevin McAllister, who heads Boeing’s commercial jet division, said. “We’re fortunate that he’s agreed to stay through the end of the year, actively engaged to see the 737 recovery plan through.”
Lindblad, vice president and general manager of Boeing’s largest development programme, has helped guide the 777X through the initial stages of development and to create a $1 billion facility where Boeing is developing wings from spun-carbon fibre. Lindblad will be replaced by Josh Binder, who has been named 777X vice president and general manager. He will report to Elizabeth Lund, vice president, general manager and Everett site leader for the 777 programme, McAllister said.
Binder previously worked at Boeing Research and Technology, where he led engineers and technicians responsible for delivering materials and manufacturing technologies for Boeing’s commercial airplane products.