Boeing's 787 supply chain 'a bridge too far,' CEO says

Boeing Co. may have extended the delayed 787 Dreamliner's supply chain too far and delegated too much engineering to other companies, Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney said in an interview on CNBC.

“The 787 was a bridge too far on a horizontal supply chain across too many time zones with too much engineering delegated to others,” McNerney said today. “We need to get our feet underneath us as we go forward on that airplane and on subsequent developments.”

Boeing's 787, the first composite-plastic airliner, is more than three years behind schedule after the Chicago-based company struggled with new materials, parts shortages, redesign work and a greater reliance on suppliers.

McNerney said he is confident of delivering the 787 to its first customers in the second half of this year.

“We have a few more things to go, and God willing, we'll be there,” McNerney said.