Boeing has increased the final assembly production rate on the 787 Dreamliner from 2.5 to 3.5 per month in Everett, Washington, a Boeing spokesman Monday. The rate increase took effect on March 1.

“Elements of the supply chain are already moving toward subsequent rate breaks in the future,” said the spokesman.

Boeing expects the first airplane built at the 3.5-per-month rate will enter final body join by the middle of this month and roll out of the Everett factory in the second quarter.

The company still plans to reach a rate of 10 per month—seven at its Everett site and three at its plant in Charleston, S.C.—by the end of next year, notwithstanding delays associated with ongoing inspections triggered by signs of delamination in the aft fuselage section on certain airplanes.

Separately, Boeing today officially began construction on its new “enhanced” Everett Delivery Center (EDC) with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Boeing employees, customers and local dignitaries.

The new facility will hold three times the office, conference and delivery operations space than does the present delivery center. The design includes a delivery lounge and customer complex to accommodate the more than 150 customer representatives that work on-site in the EDC.

Boeing expects the new EDC to open early next year 2013.