Consider a business program that had a line item whose cost had shown double-digit-percentage growth for three straight years. You'd think it was time to take a good look at why this cost was rising and what could be done to slow the growth. That condition reflects the current state of Boeing's health care expenditures, which are expected to reach $1.9 billion this year.

Boeing expects health care costs to jump about 15 percent in 2004 and possibly again in 2005, despite the company's programs to help mitigate this trend. This continued rise is affecting the health of the business. While health care coverage is seen as a key benefit offered to Boeing people, the increase in this expense is affecting the ability of the company to invest in its future.

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Inc. kudos for Boeing AIS-Maryland Ops

Boeing Advanced Information Systems, Maryland Operations, landed on Inc. magazine's listing of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the United States. With a 2,900 percent sales growth, the company ranked 44th on the list.

Formerly known as Conquest Inc., AIS, Maryland Operations, provides enterprise architecture, systems engineering and software technology solutions to the intelligence community. Acquired by Boeing in February, the organization is now a part of the Space and Intelligence Systems business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

"The tremendous growth of AIS, Maryland Operations, can be largely attributed to its focus on hiring and retaining the top talent in the industry," said Boeing Advanced Information Systems Director Dan Jones.