Boeing, Malaysian Companies to Explore Business Opportunities

• Strategic cooperation to benefit Malaysian defense, aerospace sectors
• Memorandums of Understanding signed at SMIDEX 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 9, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that its Defense, Space & Security unit has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with three Malaysian companies: Composites Technology Research Malaysia Aero Composites (CTRM AC), SME Aerospace (SMEA), and Spirit AeroSystems. The MOUs outline plans to explore business opportunities for manufacturing specialized components and equipment for use in the defense and aerospace sectors. The agreements were signed June 7 at the SMIDEX 2011 -- SME Innovation Showcase in Kuala Lumpur.

"We're extremely pleased to work with Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) to identify strategic business opportunities for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)," said Dato' Hafsah Hashim, chief executive officer, SME Corp. Malaysia. "Meetings with aerospace majors and events such as SMIDEX 2011 present golden opportunities for SMEs, especially those in the high-tech sector, to make their presence felt. We believe these linkages also will help Malaysian SMEs to tap into the global supply chain and upgrade their capabilities."

CTRM AC, based in Batu Berendam, Melaka, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd. It is a government-linked company with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated as its major shareholder. CTRM AC has expertise in manufacturing composite aero structures and defense equipment, engineering design services, composites assemblies, and research and development.

SME Aerospace, based in Sungai Buloh, manufactures aircraft parts, components and assemblies for customers worldwide. The company began operations in 1993 and specializes in sheet metal forming and fabrication, computer numerical control machining, aero structures, and component assembly and processing. SMEA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Aerospace & Defence Industries Bhd.

Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, based in Kuala Lumpur, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. [NYSE: SPR] and offers a diverse line of products and services for aerospace design, build, support and spares/repair needs. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. was established in 2005 after Onex Corp. acquired the Wichita, Tulsa and McAlester business operations from Boeing. The company is headquartered in Wichita, Kan., with additional operations in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Scotland, England, France and Malaysia.

"BDS and these Malaysian companies signed MOUs to explore opportunities that align with the Malaysian government’s key economic focus areas to support the growth of Malaysian industry," said Joe Song, BDS vice president of Asia-Pacific Business Development. "BDS is committed to expanding its position in Malaysia. We have existing business relationships, and we are confident that there are other opportunities for future cooperation and collaboration."

PR