Prestwick-based company Spirit AeroSystems has been bought by aviation giant Boeing, though the future of the firm's Ayrshire site remains unclear.

The company announced on July 2 that it had been acquired for a sum in the region of $8.3billion.

The Boeing Company will acquire Spirit for $37.25 per share in Boeing common stock. 

At $37.25 per share, this represents an equity value of approximately $4.7bn and an enterprise value of approximately $8.3bn, including Spirit’s last reported net debt.

Patrick M. Shanahan, president and chief executive officer of Spirit, said: “After carefully evaluating Boeing’s offer to combine, we are confident this transaction is in the best interest of Spirit and its shareholders, and will benefit Spirit’s other stakeholders.

“Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies’ manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems.”

As part of the deal, Spirit says it plans to pursue the 'divestiture' of certain operations, including at Prestwick.

Spirit Aerosystems has recently employed up to 1,000 workers at the factory in Prestwick where it makes parts of aircraft wings for both Boeing and Airbus.

The company announcement indicates that Prestwick will continue to supply Boeing after becoming part of that company.

But it is not clear what will happen to the Airbus contract.