Boeing's goal, it seems, was to convert its storied aircraft factory near Seattle to a mere assembly plant, bolting together modules designed and produced elsewhere as though from kits.
of course it is still designed in Seattle, and many of those parts and outsource partners are still in the USA, only 30% is from abroad according to the article.
Contrast the positive adjective "storied," applied to the term "aircraft factory," against the negative adjective "mere," applied to the term "assembly plant." Reading only that sentence, it's quite clear which the author prefers.
Boeing's goal, it seems, was to convert its storied aircraft factory near Seattle to a mere assembly plant, bolting together modules designed and produced elsewhere as though from kits.
of course it is still designed in Seattle, and many of those parts and outsource partners are still in the USA, only 30% is from abroad according to the article.