Airbus A320 Family Wing Production Broughton
Broughton, North Wales, UK · 1984-ongoing · More than £2 billion (overall investment in Broughton site over its history)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe A320 Family's continuous evolution since its first flight in 1987 demonstrates successful long-term product development and adaptation to market needs. - Broughton's role as a global center of excellence for wing manufacturing highlights the UK's specialized expertise in this critical aerospace component. - The ability to consistently scale production rates for the A320 Family showcases efficient manufacturing processes and robust supply chain management.
Key engineering challenges
Manufacturing high-volume, narrow-body aircraft wings with continuous innovation and precision. - Adapting production processes to meet increasing demand and rate evolution over decades. - Ensuring high accuracy and quality for critical flight components in a fast-paced production environment.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Airbus
- Lead contractor
- Airbus (internal manufacturing)
- Lead designers
- Airbus
- Project type
- manufacturing
- Scale
- Best-selling airliner ever built; Broughton produces wings for the entire Airbus aircraft range; monthly production rate for single-aisle A320 Family increased to 36 by December 2010.
- Disciplines
- aeronautical engineering; manufacturing engineering; mechanical engineering; industrial engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- Aerospace manufacturing standards (e.g., EASA, CAA); AS/EN 9100 quality management system.
Sources: Airbus: Airbus in the United Kingdom (https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-worldwide-presence/airbus-in-europe/airbus-in-the-united-kingdom) - Wikipedia: Airbus A320 family (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A320_family) - The Points Guy: King of the wing: The man behind Airbus' UK supply chain (https://thepointsguy.com/news/broughton-airbus-factory-behind-the-scenes/) - Scribd: Airbus Broughton: Wing Manufacturing Hub (https://www.scribd.com/document/142964593/Airbus-Facility) - Airbus: A320 Family: a story of continuous innovation (https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a320-family)