Two major investments in Alabama’s aerospace industry were announced Monday during the first day of a United Kingdom aerospace and defense expo.
The investments, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow outside London, are expected to create about 220 jobs in Alabama’s aerospace, defense and manufacturing industries.
International superalloy and high-precision casting component manufacturer Doncasters announced plans to open its second Alabama facility in Auburn. Defense manufacturer Redwire Corp. also announced an expansion of its existing Huntsville campus.
Doncasters, which operates a manufacturing facility in Oxford, plans to invest $50 million in the Auburn facility. The location is expected to employ about 70 workers within three years of completion, with an average wage of $30.29 per hour.
“Doncasters is a great company that already knows Alabama, knows what our people can do and knows the success we can achieve together,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “We welcome this second facility and the products that support several vital manufacturing sectors.”
Doncasters manufactures nickel- and cobalt-based superalloy components primarily for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. The Alabama Department of Commerce described the new facility as necessary to meet demand for the company’s products.
The city of Auburn provided Doncasters with the property for the facility, along with a 10-year property tax abatement and sales and use tax abatements.
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said the investment represents significant growth for the city and Alabama’s aerospace industry.
“The city of Auburn is extremely honored to become home to Doncasters, and we are fully aware of the significance such a smelting operation of superalloys has for the aerospace and defense industry in Alabama and beyond,” Anders said. “Under my leadership and that of my fellow City Council members, we continue to believe in the future and importance of technology-based, value-added manufacturing in Auburn.”
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair said the project would bring high-quality jobs to Auburn and the surrounding area.
“Every new project announcement is exciting for us, but there’s something especially rewarding when companies already located here continue to choose Alabama for their expansions,” McNair said.
Redwire’s Huntsville expansion will add 164,000 square feet to its existing campus. The company expects the expansion to create 150 jobs in manufacturing, integration and technical operations.
“Redwire’s expansion in Huntsville is a powerful endorsement of our state’s skilled workforce and collaborative business environment, and it further solidifies Alabama’s leadership in aerospace and defense,” Ivey said.
Redwire officials said the expansion will accelerate production of the company’s Stalker unmanned aircraft systems, Octopus camera gimbal and advanced energy and space technologies supporting exploration, commerce and national security.
Redwire Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter Cannito thanked Ivey and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle for supporting the expansion.
“Expanding the footprint Redwire has established in Huntsville reflects the momentum we’re seeing across both Redwire Space and Defense Tech,” Cannito said. “Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the United States, uniquely positioned at the intersection of America’s space and defense industries, which makes it the ideal location to expand our capabilities and strengthen America’s industrial base.”
Battle described the investment as “another strong vote of confidence in Huntsville’s world-class aerospace and defense ecosystem.”
“We’re proud to welcome their expansion and look forward to supporting their continued success as they help shape the future of space and national security,” Battle said.
Construction of Redwire’s expanded campus is expected to be completed by late 2027.
Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, and Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, attended the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow. Both expressed support for Alabama’s participation and highlighted the state’s growing aerospace and defense industries.
“We set the standard in Alabama when it comes to putting our best foot forward at the airshow,” Britt told attendees. “Whether it’s aerospace, defense or national security, people know that we mean business and people know when they make an investment in Alabama it’s one they can count on, and that’s because of the people in this room.”
“It’s been incredible to see our great state’s innovation on display at the Farnborough International Airshow,” Tuberville said. “People from all over the world want the tools and weaponry that are designed and made in Alabama. It’s been an honor to help bolster Alabama’s military and defense installations while serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee for the last six years, and I look forward to continuing to help our industries grow.”
The airshow runs through Friday, July 24.
