Boeing uses downtime to clean up Max factory problems

Seattle — Insiders note an “eerie” calm at Boeing’s 737 Max factory, formerly a bustling hub that has helped fuel the aviation industry’s record growth over the past two decades.

After halting production of the 737 Max, which has been grounded for almost a year over fatal crashes, Boeing is seizing on the lull to conduct an overhaul at its Seattle-area factory to curb inefficiency, improve quality and ease the plane’s re-entry into the market, four people familiar with the matter said...