Mesa-based AQST Space Systems Group, LLC has announced the relocation of its manufacturing facilities to Yuma, Arizona. The company secured a manufacturing site at the Yuma County Airport Authority’s Defense Contractor Complex, with plans to be operational by the end of 2018.
AQST relocated its headquarters from Puerto Rico to Mesa in June of 2018, citing confidence in local higher education system as one of the reasons for the move. In its initial search for a headquarters location, the company reviewed the full assets of the entire State of Arizona, from Mesa to Flagstaff to Yuma.
“The AQST team visited Yuma in early August to meet with Yuma’s leadership, military representatives, higher education, economic development and airport officials,” said Arnaldo Soto, Jr., chairman and CEO of AQST. “The team was very pleased to learn about Yuma’s friendly business environment, turnkey facilities and infrastructure and the support available at the airport, with veteran transition program for employment and opportunities to develop degree programs in support of our operations.”
Mesa and Yuma officials collaborated to create the most supportive and secure environment for AQST to thrive. Arizona has a robust aerospace and defense industry with companies operating across the state, which creates opportunities for innovation.
“We are excited to have AQST here in Yuma while working with our partners in Mesa,” said Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls. “This is a recipe of success for AQST as well as the whole state.”
“This is the way Arizona does business. Building upon each community’s strengths across the state makes Arizona an intensely strong competitor for any high-tech company like AQST,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles.
AQST is taking advantage of the existing Joe Foss Hangar in the Defense Contractor Complex (DCC) created by the Yuma International Airport. The airport currently provides facility support to NASA’s CPAS Team testing the parachutes for the Orion Space Program at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). YPG, while providing 70 years of testing services for the military, also provides custom testing for other agencies, governments and private companies developing defense and space-related technologies like the re-entry capabilities of the Orion Capsule.
“AQST’s selection of Yuma for its manufacturing operation is excellent news for the region and will allow the company to take advantage of the military installations in the area,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “With its headquarters operation already in Mesa, AQST is poised to have a strong statewide impact in the aerospace and defense industry.”
“The airport built the Defense Contractor Complex to encourage businesses such as AQST to come to Yuma and take advantage of the resources available within this region of the state,” said Airport Director Gladys Brown.
AQST signed a 10-year lease at the Joe Foss Hangar.
Media Contact: Connie Weber, Arizona Commerce Authority, conniew@azcommerce.com
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