Adds Boeing statement in paragraph 7

By Allison Lampert and Nathan Gomes

March 18 (Reuters) - Howmet Aerospace's HWM.N CEO said on Tuesday the company is prioritizing long-term deals as it sees fresh demand from customers after a major fire at a Philadelphia-area parts factory hit supply, roiling an industry set to make more planes.

Howmet CEO John Plant told Bank of America's Global Industrials Conference that the Pittsburgh-based supplier would invest in expanding capacity for customers that will give it long-term business.

The February fire at SPS Technologies' century-old factory, which produced specialized fasteners for planes, is putting pressure on the industry's already strapped supply chain.

"I have no interest in taking these costs on to only have to delete them later in the year," Plant said. "That doesn't make economic sense at all."

Reuters reported last month that U.S. planemaker Boeing BA.N and other top aerospace companies were scouring their supply chains to determine their exposure to the fire at the stadium-sized facility, which is part of Berkshire Hathaway-owned BRKa.N Precision Castparts Corp (PCC).

Boeing is seeking bids from companies for a large fastener order, three senior industry sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

"We don't expect a near-term impact to production," a Boeing spokesperson said in an email. "We continue to work with our supplier to fully assess the situation and take steps to mitigate potential impacts."

PCC did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Boeing and European rival Airbus AIR.PA plan to increase aircraft production in 2025, with the U.S. planemaker trying to bounce back after output slumped last year due to multiple crises.

Aerospace suppliers, already bracing for higher costs on materials such as aluminum used in aircraft due to an escalating U.S.-led trade war, have struggled at times to meet industry demand. Besides SPS, a Chicago magnesium castings facility was hit by a large fire in early March. Castings, already in short supply, are critical aerospace parts used in engines.

Plant said Howmet, which has the necessary certifications to produce some of the parts made at the SPS factory, is in the process of responding to customers for parts. He added that Howmet would pass on to customers any higher costs it would face due to tariffs for imported materials.

The CEO said Howmet would support Boeing's plans to hit a monthly production rate of 38 and beyond for its strongest-selling 737 MAX planes.

Plant also praised Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg's decision to relocate to Seattle after taking the helm last year.

"The fact that he's there and you see pictures of him on the shop floor having a more hands-on approach, that's very welcome to see," Plant said.

(Reporting By Allison Lampert and Nathan Gomes; Editing by Rod Nickel and Jamie Freed)

((Allison.Lampert@thomsonreuters.com; 514-796-4212; Reuters Messaging: allison.lampert.reuters.com@reuters.net/))