Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun recently announced that he will be stepping down from the company by the end of the year. This decision comes after a scathing FAA report on Boeing’s safety procedures, amid a quality control crisis that has plagued the company.
Calhoun emphasized the need for Boeing to prioritize safety over speed in its production processes. In an interview with CNBC, he stated that Boeing must slow down its production processes to ensure that everything is done correctly the first time. He acknowledged that Boeing has a culture of rushing production, and that changes need to be made to focus more on safety and quality control.
The CEO pointed to an incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 where a door plug blew off midair, causing a hole in the side of the plane. He emphasized the need for Boeing to slow down and allow the supply chain to catch up, rather than prioritizing speed at the expense of safety.
Calhoun admitted that Boeing has a “bad habit” of focusing too much on moving products down the line quickly, rather than ensuring the first-time quality of the product. He emphasized the importance of balancing speed with safety and quality control in Boeing’s production processes.
Calhoun’s comments come as Boeing faces increased scrutiny over its production practices, with the FAA report highlighting deficiencies in the company’s safety procedures and culture. Calhoun expressed a commitment to fixing these issues and getting Boeing back on track towards recovery and stability.
In conclusion, Calhoun’s decision to step down from his role as CEO marks a turning point for Boeing as it seeks to address its quality control crisis and improve its safety procedures. The company must now balance its production processes with quality control and safety measures in order to avoid future incidents like those involving Alaska Airlines’ 737 Max 9.
