Sen. Moran invites Lockheed Martin back to Wichita amid Boeing/Spirit acquisition

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Earlier this week, Boeing announced that they are buying Spirit AeroSystems , one of the largest employers in the city, for $4.7 billion ($37.25 per share). Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) says Lockheed Martin is looking to Kansas to expand.

Lockheed Martin is the largest aerospace and defense contractor in the country and a competitor of Boeing. Last fall, the company partnered with Perfecta, a subsidiary of Candence Aerospace, for a trade deal.

Sen. Moran says even though Boeing is buying Spirit, he hopes Lockheed can come to Wichita to diversify the aerospace industry. Moran thinks that aerospace companies should make a continued investment in Kansas.

“The number one reason that we get companies to come and the number one reason that companies do business in Kansas is because of the workforce,” Moran said. “The only reason we ever have success is because of the men and women who are here working in aviation aerospace.”

He highlights that to build trust Boeing should spend time with the workforce at Spirit in addition to addressing safety concerns.

“The primary thing that Boeing needs to do for the sake of the country for economy and for our national defense is get their safety protocols in place demonstrating they know how to manufacture and how to make a safe aircraft,” Moran said.

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