European space company RUAG to launch Alabama manufacturing operation
DECATUR, Alabama – Switzerland-based RUAG announced today that it will launch an Alabama manufacturing operation after forming a strategic partnership with United Launch Alliance, which produces rockets at a factory in Decatur. RUAG, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of products for the space industry, said the new Alabama operation will produce carbon-fiber components for ULA’s…
REEL to open facility at Mobile Aeroplex to serve Airbus Alabama
MOBILE, Alabama – REEL USA Corp. will open an office and workshop at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, where the company will service the critical jigs and tools used in Airbus’ first U.S. manufacturing facility. Today’s announcement involving REEL is the latest in a string of Airbus-related expansion moves at the Aeroplex, where the France-based…
Marshall engineers 3-D print copper rocket part in NASA milestone
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – NASA engineers at Alabama’s Marshall Space Flight Center have produced the first full-scale, copper rocket part using additive manufacturing – a milestone for aerospace 3-D printing. The part is a combustion chamber liner that must operate at extreme conditions during flight. In fact, temperatures on the inside of the paper-thin copper liner…
Alabama aims to expand role in aerospace supply chain
DECATUR, Alabama – Companies that produce carbon fiber and specialty alloys for aircraft manufacturers have invested more than $1.7 billion in their Alabama facilities, making the state a growing player in the aerospace supply chain. Toray, the largest producer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers, operates a Decatur plant that houses one of the world’s biggest…
GE Aviation readies first 3-D printed jet engine nozzle at Alabama plant
AUBURN, Alabama — GE Aviation is turning its facility in Auburn into the world’s first factory for 3-D printed jet engine fuel nozzles, landing the Alabama plant a starring role in a technology that promises to revolutionize aerospace manufacturing. GE Aviation, one of the world’s top aircraft engine producers, announced plans to introduce high-volume production of…
Airbus ships first major aircraft components to Alabama factory
MOBILE, Alabama — Airbus announced today that A320 Family aircraft production in the U.S. is on schedule to begin this summer as large components for the first Alabama-produced aircraft departed today from the port in Hamburg, Germany, bound for Mobile. The major component assemblies consist of the wings produced in the U.K., the rear fuselage…
2016 Honda Pilot joins ranks of new Alabama-made autos
LINCOLN, Alabama – Amid the cheers of celebrating workers, Honda launched mass production of its redesigned 2016 Pilot sport utility at the company’s Alabama plant – the latest in a flurry of new or re-engineered models emerging from the state’s automakers. “It’s an exciting day for all of team members in Alabama,” Jeff Tomko, president…
Hyundai marks 10 years of production in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Exactly 10 years ago today, former President George H.W. Bush took the stage at Hyundai’s new Alabama plant for a splashy grand opening ceremony. Chairman M.K. Chung was on hand for the celebration, along with top state officials. At one point, Korean pop sensation Elec Cookie delivered a rendition of Oh Susanna,…
Honda launches new automated engine assembly line in Alabama
LINCOLN, Alabama – A new $71.4 million engine assembly facility at Honda’s Alabama plant is so advanced that its 250 workers and 92 robots can turn out 1,500 V-6 engines per day, thanks to automated systems that can handle tasks such as assembling and installing pistons. The sophisticated new engine line at Honda’s facility in…
‘Job 1’ marks GLE Coupé launch at Mercedes Alabama plant
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Workers at Mercedes-Benz’s sprawling Alabama assembly plant celebrated “Job 1” today, signaling the start of mass production of the all-new GLE Coupé at the $4.5 billion facility. Mercedes has called 2015 “The Year of the SUV” for the brand, with the launch of the GLE Coupé and a renewal of most of…
