Boeing’s New C.E.O. Calls for ‘Culture Change’ as Strike Vote Looms
As Kelly Ortberg presented his strategic vision, more than 33,000 striking employees of the aerospace manufacturer were expected to vote on a new contract.
Boeing’s new chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, shared his vision on Wednesday for how to restore the beleaguered business, delivering his most comprehensive public remarks on strategy since taking the role in August. But, he acknowledged, he must first end a financially damaging strike.
The aircraft maker also shared more detail about its quarterly financial results, including a $6.2 billion loss in the three months ending in September. The company had previewed that setback earlier in the month.
In a message to employees, Mr. Ortberg shared a speech that he planned to deliver to investor analysts on a call later in the day to discuss Boeing’s quarterly financial results. In it, he offered a diagnosis: The company had lost too much trust, gained too much debt and made too many mistakes. To put Boeing back on the right path would require “fundamental culture change,” stabilizing the business and improving execution.
“Our leaders, from me on down, need to be closely integrated with our business and the people who are doing the design and production of our products,” he said. “We need to be on the factory floors, in the back shops and in our engineering labs. We need to know what’s going on, not only with our products, but with our people.”
