MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama leaders are highlighting new business opportunities and investments following the state’s participation in the Farnborough International Airshow in England.
According to Gov. Kay Ivey, Alabama’s presence at the international aerospace event resulted in two major industry announcements and more than 50 meetings between the Alabama Department of Commerce’s recruitment team and aviation, aerospace and defense companies.
Alabama’s delegation also expanded its visibility at the event with a larger team and meeting space. The Farnborough International Airshow is one of the world’s premier aerospace trade events, bringing together more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries.
“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,” Gov. Ivey 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. 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!”
According to the governor’s office, Alabama secured two major announcements during the week. Redwire will expand its Huntsville operations, while Doncasters, a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of superalloys and precision casting components, will add a second Alabama location in Auburn. Together, the projects represent about $68 million in capital investment and 220 new jobs.
“Alabama leaders have made a calculated decision to grow the state’s footprint in the industries that already thrive here,” Commerce Secretary Ellen 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. 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.”
McNair co-led Alabama’s delegation with Gov. Ivey’s Chief of Staff Liz Filmore. Other members included U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, Congressman Dale Strong, Alabama Workforce Secretary Greg Reed and several higher education and economic development leaders.
“Industry announcements at Farnborough or Paris are always significant,” Commerce aerospace industry specialist Bob Smith said. “He’s been attending Farnborough and its sister event, the Paris Air Show, for the state since 2009.”
Smith added, “Almost every aerospace company in the world has a presence here, as do the industry trade publications. So, it’s great global publicity for the fact that Alabama is an aerospace and defense destination.”
According to the governor’s office, Alabama became the first state to have a chalet at the airshow, placing the “Made in Alabama” brand in front of thousands of aerospace and defense industry leaders. The additional meeting space allowed the state and local communities to host more prospective companies.
“Alabama state leaders have made key investments in recent years to expand our global industrial recruitment reach,” Commerce Chief Officer of Global Business Christina Stimpson said. “The creation of our Alabama Development Fund last year let us expand our international presence, investing more in our European office and re-establishing our offices in Korea and Japan. Combined with the state’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in career tech education and industrial site development, we are reaching more prospective companies and showing them exactly why Alabama is the best choice for their international expansions.”
According to the governor’s office, Commerce officials met with companies already operating in Alabama as well as firms considering new projects in the state. Additional meetings were held with consultants, site selectors and other industry representatives connected to future development opportunities.
“Being at the Farnborough Airshow on the world stage is critical for our state’s aerospace and defense sector,” Smith said. “The intense business climate at Farnborough comes directly from having every significant aerospace company’s entire management and decision-making team available in one location for several days. We’ve been preparing for months making appointments and finding ways to leverage our state leadership at the show with company CEOs and top management.”
Smith and senior project manager Veronica Crock met with companies that already have Alabama facilities, companies seeking locations for new projects and firms exploring preliminary development opportunities. The Commerce team also held more than 20 meetings with consultants and site selectors.
“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.”
According to the governor’s office, the state’s meeting totals were in addition to meetings conducted by local Alabama communities that attended the airshow to make their own business connections.
