TULSA, Okla., August 14, 2008 - The NORDAM Group has announced the addition of a new manufacturing facility in Chihuahua, Mexico in 2009. NORDAM chose the state of Chihuahua for expansion of its manufacturing facilities joining Beechcraft, Cessna, and Honeywell Aerospace, all of which have existing manufacturing plants there. This expansion strengthens NORDAM’s competitive market position by providing additional and back-up capacity for its current manufacturing operations in Tulsa, Wichita, Brazil and Italy.
"Strategically located capacity will allow NORDAM to better serve our customers across the globe," said Ken Lackey, chairman and chief executive officer. "A geographically diverse, cost effective supply chain will provide strategic growth opportunities."
With a large number of aerospace companies operating in Mexico, it’s becoming a more visible and viable hub. "Since we do business with Hawker, Cessna and Honeywell, and Chihuahua has a skilled work force, this is a very good location for us," Steve Pack, senior vice president of OEM Operations added.
The new facility, with an anticipated opening date of January 2009, will support OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) work related to composite bonding, sheet metal structures and cabinet fabrication.
"As a result of NORDAM’s recent contract wins on the Gulfstream G650 wing to body fairing program, Dassault F7X cabinet program, Cessna CJ4 program and the Hawker 900 re-engining program, we are in a position to expand capacity. Chihuahua was an obvious location due to increased customers’ needs, skilled laborers and a competitive cost structure," said Pack.
The NORDAM Group, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., is one of the largest independently owned aerospace companies in the world. NORDAM designs, certifies and manufactures integrated propulsion systems, nacelles and thrust reversers for business jets. In addition, NORDAM manufactures composite aircraft structures, interior shells, custom cabinetry, radomes, and aircraft transparencies such as cabin windows, wing tip lenses and simulator screens. It is also one of the world’s largest third-party providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the military, commercial airline and air freight markets. The company employs approximately 2,800 people around the globe, with facilities in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Singapore. Additional information is available at www.nordam.com.
Pictured in photo (from left to right): Jose Reyes Baeza, Governor of Chihuahua; Terry Gray, NORDAM, Vice President and General Manager, Interiors and Structures; Ken Lackey, NORDAM, Chairman and CEO; Tory Baker, NORDAM, Chief Financial Officer; Brett Benton, NORDAM, Vice President, Asia Pacific Sales; Bill Peacher, NORDAM, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Repair Group; Tray Siegfried, NORDAM, Vice President, OEM Markets and Strategic Resources.