Boeing suppliers' shares off after 787 delay

By Bhaswati Mukhopadhyay

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Shares of most U.S.-based parts suppliers to Boeing Co's (BA.N) 787 program fell on Tuesday, after the planemaker postponed the first test flight of its Dreamliner for a fifth time, citing a structural problem.

Boeing also said the first delivery would be rescheduled and it would be several weeks before a new schedule was available.

Many parts suppliers said it was too early to assess the effect of the change in schedule.

"We are evaluating the impact right now," said Dan Coulom, a spokesman for Hamilton Sundstrand, a division of diversified U.S. manufacturer United Technologies Corp (UTX.N). "We'll have a better understanding when Boeing communicates its revised schedule."

Hamilton Sundstrand is the largest systems supplier to the 787, providing components that control its electric, heating and cooling systems. It expects to generate $15 billion of revenue from the 787 over the life of the program.

United Technologies shares closed down 1.4 percent at $51.84 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The 787 program change could have a negative impact on other suppliers, which include Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc (SPR.N), Goodrich Corp (GR.N) and Rockwell Collins (COL.N), the extent of which will not be known until the revised schedule is formulated, analyst Paul Nisbet of JSA Research said.

Shares of Spirit Aerosystems, which provides the nose for the aircraft, closed down 5.9 percent.