Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday highlighted Alabama’s showing at Farnborough International Airshow last week, which brought two major state investment announcements.
The biennial week-long aerospace and defense industry showcase saw more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries.
Ivey celebrated the announcement of aerospace and defense company Redwire’s planned expansion of its Huntsville facilities and U.K.-based superalloy manufacturer Doncasters’ planned addition of a second Alabama facility in Auburn. The combined investments, which were unveiled on the first day of the airshow, will total roughly $60 million and add 220 new state jobs.
“Alabama’s 10th and final Farnborough airshow under my Administration featured our best effort yet while also netting two major industrial announcements and more than 50 productive meetings with aviation, aerospace and defense companies,” the governor said.
“We brought our A-game, positioning our economic development recruiters and our elected policy makers to highlight Alabama’s advantages for new business and expansion. We have a long history in aviation, aerospace and defense,” Ivey continued. “But with more than 40 percent job growth in these sectors in just the last decade, Alabama is poised to break new frontiers. The sky is truly the limit for Sweet Home Alabama!”
In addition to a booth with meeting rooms, Alabama had a chalet during the event, alongside the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Center flightline.
“Alabama is the first state to have a chalet at the airshow, putting the giant red ‘Made in Alabama’ brand in front of thousands in the aviation and defense sectors as they watched the aircraft exercises and visited industry chalets,” Ivey’s office wrote.
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair, who co-led this year’s Alabama delegation at Farnborough with Ivey Chief of Staff Liz Filmore, said the state’s presence at the exposition indicated Alabama leaders’ commitment to growing the state’s aerospace and defense industries.
“Alabama leaders have made a calculated decision to grow the state’s footprint in the industries that already thrive here,” McNair said.
“From rockets in north Alabama to airplanes in south Alabama to the companies that support the missions of our military installations, Alabama is established in this space,” she continued. “As the U.S. and our allies increase their defense budgets and industries increase their capabilities in response, Alabama is ready to welcome these operations. Farnborough was about putting Alabama’s skilled workforce, available industrial space and pro-business attitude in front of the world and showing these companies why they should be Made in Alabama.”
Commerce Aerospace and Industry Specialist Bob Smith, who has attended Farnborough and its sister event, the Paris Airshow, for the state since 2009, described the event as a chance for the state to attract further investment from the aerospace and defense industries.
“Almost every aerospace company in the world has a presence here, as do the industry trade publications,” Smith said. “So, it’s great global publicity for the fact that Alabama is an aerospace and defense destination.”
Ivey’s office reported that Smith and Commerce Senior Project Manager and Aerospace and Defense Specialist Veronica Crock had a combined nine meetings with companies that operate existing Alabama facilities and 14 meetings with companies seeking new locations for projects.
An additional nine meetings were held with companies exploring prospective projects in the preliminary development stage. The Commerce team also had more than 20 meetings with consultants, site selectors and others who keep the state connected with potential projects.
“Farnborough once again demonstrated why Alabama continues to be recognized as a global leader in aerospace and aviation,” Crock said. “Throughout the week, our team had the opportunity to announce Doncasters’ continued investment in Alabama while holding meetings with existing industry partners and new companies exploring Alabama for future investment. These conversations reaffirm that Alabama’s reputation for a world-class workforce, strong business climate and collaborative approach continues to resonate with aerospace and defense companies around the world.”
Additional Alabama leaders present at the event included U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama; U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama; U.S. Representative Dale Strong, R-Alabama; Alabama Workforce Secretary Greg Reed; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
