It was bad news all around last week when a Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner made an emergency landing after an onboard fire. The inevitable delay this will cause is keeping airlines around the world wondering when this Dreamliner will finally take off? But it wasn't just the airlines that ordered the aircraft, like All Nippon Airways or American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR), that were disappointed.
Suppliers who work with Boeing are being hit especially hard by the constant delays. Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) stock was crushed after a recent earnings miss due partially to Dreamliner delays. The company said any further delays could make the project unprofitable. Suppliers have had to tool up, expand capacity, and add staff to prepare for this aircraft that was supposed to begin deliveries two years ago.
Titanium was also supposed to get a boost from the Dreamliner, which has swapped some of its aluminum for the stronger metal. Producer Titanium Metals (NYSE: TIE) gets a majority of its demand from the aerospace industry and the Dreamliner should be a boost when production begins. Allegheny Tech (NYSE: ATI) also has a deal to supply titanium for Boeing in a contract through 2015.
Then there is Precision Castparts (NYSE: PCP), which is performing fine without the Dreamliner, but will get a big boost if full-scale production ever begins.
The cascading effect of bad news has hampered more than just Boeing, but if you believe the Dreamliner will take off eventually, there could still be opportunities out there. Motley Fool Stock Advisor picks Precision Castparts and Titanium Metals have performed incredibly well even without the Dreamliner. When full-scale production begins, conditions should only get better.
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