More than two decades after Boeing sold its Wichita, Kan., plant, the aerospace manufacturer has finalized a deal to bring it back in house.

Boeing said Monday it had reacquired Spirit AeroSystems, the Wichita-based supplier that builds the entire fuselage for the 737 MAX, as well as the forward fuselage for other Boeing commercial planes and wing components, engine nacelles and pylons for Boeing jets.

As part of the acquisition, Boeing will add 15,000 employees and take over several Spirit operations, including all work done for Boeing commercial planes. It will bring Boeing’s largest parts supplier in-house, expanding Boeing’s maintenance, repair and overhaul business, as well as its aftermarket services portfolio.

The deal also creates an independent subsidiary called Spirit Defense

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