Boeing South Carolina leader thanks South Carolina for partnership
February 24, 2016
Boeing South Carolina Vice President and General Manager Beverly Wyse outlined the opportunities and challenges of operating in a global market during her keynote address yesterday at the 127th Greenville Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Wyse highlighted the criticality of strong partnerships with the local community and thanked South Carolina leaders for their continued support and collaboration with The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA].
“Boeing’s experience in the Palmetto State is an example of what is possible when business leaders, their workers, and the public and nonprofit sector collaborate for the common benefit,” said Wyse. “Together with our suppliers, neighboring communities, business partners, state and local leaders, and countless others we have accomplished extraordinary things together in a relatively short period of time.”
According to a 2014 University of South Carolina study, the aerospace industry now supports more than 100,000 jobs in South Carolina; generates more than $17 billion in annual economic activity; and contributes half a billion dollars in taxes annually. Last year, Boeing spent more than $350 million with South Carolina suppliers and Boeing and its employees invested more than $7 million with charitable organizations.
“Boeing is one of the few American companies that employs large numbers of people in this country to build things sold in large numbers outside this country,” said Wyse. “At Boeing we never gave up – and never will give up – on American manufacturing. Even at the depths of the last recession Boeing actually added thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs – most notably in South Carolina. But the investment that Boeing and other aerospace companies are making here and around the country can only be sustained if we can continue to sell our products effectively – and fairly – in a highly competitive global market.”
Wyse addressed how essential the Boeing South Carolina workforce is to meeting the company’s global challenges and highlighted the company’s commitment to attract and retain the best local workforce.
“Any company that wants to succeed must attract and retain – through pay and other incentives – the kind of talented people we have in North Charleston,” said Wyse. “That is why total compensation for Boeing South Carolina teammates – already significantly higher than the aerospace average in this state – have increased by nearly 20 percent in past three years.”
Wyse closed her address by looking ahead to Boeing’s second century of aerospace innovation, in which the company is committed to continue connecting, protecting and inspiring people around the world.
“Even as we reflect with pride on what’s been achieved in the last century, we continue looking ahead to another 100 years of aerospace innovation – to connect, protect, explore and inspire people around the world who still marvel at what we can achieve.”
About The Boeing Company
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. For more information about The Boeing Company, visit www.boeing.com. For more information about Boeing’s operations in South Carolina, please visit the Boeing South Carolina website or Facebook page.
