| April 3, 2002
Sabreliner Corp. has won a contract valued at up to $40 million to overhaul
components for United States Air Force KC-135 aircraft under an agreement with
The Boeing Company. Sabreliner will open a 72,000-square-foot facility in Ste.
Genevieve, Mo. where the work will be performed, creating more than 60 jobs in
the historic community.
The Boeing Aerospace Support Center in San Antonio, Texas, part of the St.
Louis-based Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems business, performs heavy
maintenance on Air Force KC-135 aircraft. These aircraft are used for aerial refueling
and cargo transport. Sabreliner will overhaul essential components of up to 30
or more of the aircraft each year through 2007 under a multi-option contract.
"Missouri has a proud tradition of quality work for this nation, and this
announcement is just one more example of that excellence," said Sen. Christopher
(Kit) Bond. "I am very pleased for Boeing and Sabreliner."
"This is great news for the community and the people of Ste. Genevieve
as well as the State of Missouri," said U.S. House Democratic Leader Richard
A. Gephardt, whose Congressional district includes Ste. Genevieve. "To have
work so essential to the country's armed forces taking place here will be a source
of pride to everyone, and the opening of a new facility is good economic news
for the entire area."
The KC-135 aircraft components -- including horizontal stabilizers, ailerons,
flaps, elevators, nacelles, rudder, cowls, spoilers and oleo doors -- will be
delivered to the company's new Ste. Genevieve facility for overhaul. The Ste.
Genevieve operation is scheduled to open in April after facility modifications
are completed, according to Ron Herman, vice president and general manager of
Sabreliner's Perryville and St. Mary operations who also will oversee the new
facility at 1040 Rozier Street.
Herman said Ste. Genevieve County Economic Development Director Marv Harman,
city Mayor Kathy Waltz and building owner Gerald Trautman deserve special recognition
for their efforts to help locate the Sabreliner facility in the community.
"This is an exciting development for all of us at Sabreliner," said
D. J. "Jim" Meier, Sabreliner vice president of government services.
"We are very pleased to be joining the Ste. Genevieve community and plan
to be a good corporate citizen, as we are in other communities. Sabreliner will
hire at least 60 new employees by mid summer. The new facility is large enough
to allow us to double the work volume, making future growth a very real possibility."
"Boeing is pleased to have Sabreliner Corp. as a key supplier in our important
work in maximizing readiness and affordability of the essential Air Force tanker
fleet," said David Spong, president of Boeing Military Aerospace support.
"Our work together strengthens the already great base of aerospace talent
in the St. Louis area."
Founded in 1735 on the Mississippi River south of what is now St. Louis, Ste.
Genevieve is the oldest community west of the Mississippi River and was settled
by lead miners, farmers and fur traders who gave it a decided French influence.
Sabreliner Corp., headquartered in St. Louis, has been operating in Perryville
since 1983 when Sabreliner purchased the business from Rockwell International.
Aircraft modifications have been ongoing at the Perryville airport facilities
for over 50 years. Sabreliner also opened a St. Mary's operation in 1996.
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