Strata Delivers First Made in UAE Boeing 787 Dreamliner Vertical Fin

[Philip the Arab]

Strata Manufacturing (Strata), the advanced composite aero-structures manufacturing facility has successfully delivered its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner vertical fin shipset to Boeing during an official ceremony held following the UAE’s 49th National Day.
The delivery, which underpins the Al Ain-based manufacturer’s evolving industrial and engineering capability, marks the first 787 vertical fin completely assembled outside of Boeing’s facilities in the US.

The vertical fin will be installed on 787 fuselages at Boeing’s North Charleston facility in South Carolina beginning early 2021.
Ismail Ali Abdulla, CEO of Strata said: “As a pioneer in the UAE’s manufacturing sphere, Strata’s growth strategy is anchored in the continued expansion of our manufacturing capabilities, so it is timely that we are celebrating the delivery of this significant UAE-assembled part on the occasion of our nation’s anniversary.
“This significant milestone highlights Strata’s success in replicating Boeing’s capabilities, reinforcing the strong partnership between our respective entities, and enhances Strata’s position as a trusted partner across the global aerospace supply chain.
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Bernie Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey added: “In 10 years, Strata went from a concept on paper to a Tier One composites supplier to Boeing, and the first in the Middle East.
"Strata is an important part of the UAE’s aerospace vision, in particular the country’s focus on establishing a sustainable manufacturing base."
Earlier this year, Strata announced the creation of Strata Plus, an expansion of its facility at Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park dedicated to Boeing’s 787 vertical fin assembly operations.
So far, assembly has also commenced on an additional five 787 vertical fin shipsets.
The Strata 787 vertical fin production line is run by 47 technicians, inspectors and engineers, of which 40% are UAE nationals.
Additional people are due to be on boarded to support future growth plans, with an aim to have 75 full-time staff by the end of 2022.
Boeing and Strata’s relationship began in 2011, when the US aviation giant first contracted the UAE manufacturer as a Tier 1 supplier to produce the parts for Boeing’s 777 and 787 airplanes.
Based at Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park, Strata supports the development of a leading aerospace hub in Abu Dhabi as part of the emirate’s economic diversification initiatives, and works with leading OEMs including Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo and Pilatus.