UTC Aerospace Systems announced that it is expanding its existing footprint in Foley, Alabama by adding a new manufacturing and nacelle assembly facility that is estimated to bring 260 new jobs to Baldwin County.
UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corporation, is one of Alabama’s largest aerospace manufacturers as measured by number of employees and makes products such as the Airbus A380 landing gear.
The new 80,000 square-foot building will house the assembly of nacelle components and propulsion system integration. The new facility will support the manufacture of the Airbus A320 for both the current engine option and eventually, when implemented, the NEO.
Integrated A320 family propulsion systems will be delivered from the new facility to the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, about an hour away. In addition, the site will provide support for other airplane platforms equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G Geared Turbofan engine including the Bombardier CSeries, the Embraer E2 and Mitsubishi Regional Jet.
The Foley facility is a leader in UTC Aerospace Systems’ drive to operate the most efficient factories in the industry through its relentless application of continuous improvement principles. UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aerostructures business currently operates two co-located facilities in Foley: a 220,000-square foot original equipment plant employing approximately 600 people and an adjacent 210,000-square foot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility employing approximately 200 people.
“This expansion is a great opportunity to expand our ability to apply our innovative nacelle technology to one of the world’s most popular airplanes,” said Marc Duvall, president of UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aerostructures business.
“We chose Foley to expand because of its proven track record of performance, our desire to be near a key customer, and the tremendous cooperation we’ve had from the state, county and the city. We have more experience than anyone in integrating the nacelle system to the engine and the airplane,” said Duvall.
Construction of the new facility will take about a year, with opening slated for the second quarter of 2017. UTC said employment will ramp up as customer requirements grow.
