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GREENSBORO — Citing delivery problems from unspecified suppliers, Honda Aircraft Co. announced Thursday that it has delayed production of its $3.9 million HondaJet aircraft by a year.

“Our suppliers are going to be late delivering some parts to us,” said Stephen Keeney, Honda’s senior manager for corporate affairs. “Because of that we had to reset our schedules, basically.”

Keeney would not identify the suppliers involved.

“Our intention is not to place blame with anyone, but to now focus on the redoubling of our efforts to meet the new time line,” Keeney said. “We are working with our suppliers as partners.”

Keeney said delivery of the light jet should begin in the fourth quarter of 2011 rather than in late 2010.

Local officials and educators who have been working with Honda called the news unfortunate but not unexpected.
“It just seems to be one more project that gets delayed,” said Dan Lynch, president of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance. “But that is kind of what is going on globally right now.”

The news also came as a blow to the 175 students at GTCC who are studying for possible jobs at the Honda plant. The delay in production will mean a delay in hiring.

“I would be discouraged, too, but they went back to class and they kept on training,” said Ed Frye, chairman of the school’s transportation systems technology division. “What we are going to do is offer the students some options, but it is up to them what they are going to do.”

Honda officials said they remain committed to building their new jet at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The company has moved into its World R&D Center at PTI.

Keeney said Honda’s investment locally will exceed $100 million and employment will surpass 600 when the plant reaches full production in late 2011.

The company, which employs more than 400 workers at PTI, has conducted research on the plane here for almost 10 years.

Keeney said Honda planned to produce 80-100 jets a year, adding that the company has more than 100 orders. He would not provide specific numbers. He said Thursday’s announcement had not led to any lost orders.

It appears that Honda’s agreements with suppliers fell apart in the past few weeks.

On March 31, Keeney predicted that the jet’s suppliers would meet their deadlines. But recent news reports have said that GE Honda Aero, which will manufacture the jet’s engines in Burlington, has been delayed in Federal Aviation Administration testing.

Efforts to reach GE Honda officials were unsuccessful Thursday.

Honda this week asked the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority for an extension on the deadline for finishing its production plant at PTI.

Keeney said work on the building would begin in late summer and be completed in late 2010.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com