Supply chain continue to hurt Boeing's (NYSE:BA) reputation. Strategies executed earlier in the 787 program to (1) reduce costs and (2) garner intangible political benefits associated with global job creation introduced lurking risks in the supply chain that are dogging this company. At the heart of the matter is oversight and control.
 
Indeed, a key economic lesson learned these past two years is that iconic firms with global operations, a stable of business partners, and reputations for ethics, safety, security, and quality; must have better managerial oversight of their partners. There are several strategies for improving oversight. To protect and restore its reputation rapidly, Boeing appears to be pursuing a strategy of total control by acquiring troubled suppliers. It is not an inexpensive proposition. The latest acquisition is reported today in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cd36e146-6b56-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html

"Boeing has been forced to take over one of the key suppliers to the 787 Dreamliner, its troubled new jet, in an effort to gain tighter control of the production process.

It has agreed to pay at least $580m for the facility that makes chiefly composite sections for the 787, a planned family of long-range jets that is running more than two years behind schedule.

The purchase of the South Carolina plant from Vought Aircraft Industries - owned by the Carlyle Group, the private equity firm - is the second time Boeing has been forced into an acquisition to strengthen its global supply chain.

Last year, the US aircraft maker took over Vought's stake in Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with Alenia of Italy that assembles 787 fuselage sections. Vought said it received $55m from that deal."