MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A group of economic development organizations across Alabama have come together to launch AlabamaAerosupply, a website for aerospace suppliers interested in a facility location near the Airbus final assembly line.
Airbus broke ground on its first U.S.-based assembly line at Mobile Brookley Aeroplex on Monday, April 8. The new Airbus Alabama assembly line will facilitate assembly of A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Major construction of the facility will begin this summer, with aircraft assembly planned to begin in 2015 and first delivery of a Mobile-assembled passenger jet in 2016.
AlabamaAerosupply.com provides a one-stop resource for potential suppliers to get an introduction to Alabama’s and the Mobile Bay region’s assets. They can also find details and photos of available sites along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and get information on Alabama’s workforce training, taxes, logistics and infrastructure at the website.
“We have already seen interest from potential suppliers, and this site aims to simplify the process for those companies,” said Bob Smith, assistant director of business development for the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“As prospects begin surveying our area for potential relocation and business opportunities, we want to make sure that they have a seamless, easy-to-use information and marketing portal designed specifically for their needs. This web site provides that — and helps us to wisely and efficiently promote the assets of this region,” said Bill Sisson, President of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the former Executive Director of the Mobile Airport Authority, which operates Mobile Brookley Aeroplex.
Added Troy Wayman, Vice President of Economic Development at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce: “It is important that we show a strong regional effort in our work to help Airbus suppliers find a home in Alabama. AlabamaAerosupply.com is a great example of the teamwork that has made Alabama successful for many years. We wanted to provide a one stop shop for information critical to a supplier network and the single point of contact provided on this website is a perfect tool to continue the exciting aerospace growth in south Alabama.”
Airbus services supplier Safran Engineering has already opened a new office at Mobile Brookley Aeroplex near the future Airbus site, and additional suppliers are expected to seek nearby locations to support the assembly line.
Alabama Aerosupply is a partnership between the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, the Mobile Airport Authority, the Alabama Department of Commerce and energy suppliers Alabama Power and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
“Our regional team and statewide partners believe this is a functional and critical piece to our strategic supplier recruitment effort. It provides a vast amount of critical data for suppliers to utilize in their site location decision process,” said Lee Lawson, President and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.
