Charlotte-based UTC Aerospace Systems announced Tuesday plans to build an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Foley, about 40 miles southeast of Mobile.
The new manufacturing facility will create up to 260 new jobs to southwest Alabama and is projected to open next year. The plant is designed to assemble jet engine covers to support the Airbus A320 and deliver propulsion systems from the facility to the Airbus assembly line in Mobile.
The facility will also provide parts for other aircraft manufacturers such as Bombardier, Embraer and Mitsubishi. The company already operates two facilities in Foley that employ roughly 800 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.”
The expansion renders UTC one of the largest aerospace operators in Alabama.