The strike planned by Boeing machinists may be just the delay the Aircraft Fastener manufacturers need to catch up on current long lead times. As written here previously aircraft fasteners (specifically aircraft nutplates, Hi-Lok pins, and studs) have been on a 52 week delay as Boeing and its subcontractors have placed years of production on order forcing all new aircraft fastener orders into long lead times. As grim as a walkoff by Boeing machinists sounds, it may provide an opportunity to increase the avaialbility of aircraft fasteners into the supply chain in market and therefore into Boeing’s direct supply chain. A 2 month temporary shutdown would hurt Boeing but may challenge the resolve of the Union and in an unlikely move actually increase the production schedule of aircraft as key aircraft fasteners become more readily available.
