HXL vs SPR Comparison

Founded in 1948, Hexcel designs and manufactures a range of highly engineered composite fibers, fabrics, resins, and structures for use in the commercial aerospace, defense, and high-performance automotive markets. These are lighter than metal and perform under rigorous conditions in aircraft frames, wings, engines, and other components and subassemblies. The company's name derives from the six-sided honeycomb structures that lend many of its products their light weight and rigidity. Hexcel's biggest customers are Airbus (38% of 2022 sales) and Boeing (25% of prepandemic sales) and their respective subcontractors.

Spirit AeroSystems manufactures aerostructures, particularly fuselages, cockpits, wing sections, engine pylons, and nacelles for commercial and military aircraft. The company was spun out of Boeing in 2005 to become the largest independent supplier of aerostructures for commercial aircraft. Boeing and Airbus are the firm's primary customers—Boeing represented roughly 60% and Airbus roughly 20% of revenue in recent years. The company is highly exposed to Boeing's beleaguered 737 program, which accounts for nearly half the company's revenue. The company plans to be acquired by and reintegrated into Boeing by the end of 2025.