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> the fuselage of this plane isn't even made by Boeing, it's made by Spirit AeroSystems which also makes components for Airbus.

Why would a company with the resources of Boeing choose to contract out such an important part of their planes, rather than vertically integrate that?

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Boeing has been selling off various parts of its manufacturing for years to investment firms, then contracting out to what used to be their own factories. They are intentionally de-integrating (disintegrating?).

Some say this is for union-busting. Others say it's "just" boardroom financial engineering.

Whatever the reason, Boeing clearly hasn't cared about being a manufacturing company for a long time.

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