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At a ribbon-cutting in Milledgeville today, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division, a subsidiary of Triumph Group, Inc., will expand its facility there, creating up to 250 jobs and investing approximately $17 million. Triumph Group acquired Vought Aircraft Industries in June 2010.
“We welcome the expansion plans of this international aerospace leader in our state and are proud that Georgia workers will contribute to Triumph’s legacy of success,” said Deal. “The state has made a concerted effort to develop a deep, highly skilled labor pool for this strategic growth industry, which leverages our logistical strengths and contributes heavily to Georgia’s innovation economy, drawing industry leaders such as Triumph to our state.”
The Triumph Aerostructures’ facility in Milledgeville will carry out work packages awarded to Vought by the Boeing Co. in 2009 for the 777 and the 787 Dreamliner. The facility makes a variety of composite parts for the 787 Dreamliner, including longerons and stringers.
Triumph Aerostructures will expand the present 622,000-square-foot building a total of 60,000 square feet. The work package and growth plans extend through 2014.
“Triumph’s investment in this site is a powerful vote of confidence in our community and this facility,” said Angie Gheesling, Executive Director of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority. “We’re pleased that the company’s acquisition of Vought is resulting in increased opportunities for our region and our citizens. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Triumph Aerostructures’ Milledgeville facility is a premier aircraft composite component fabrication and assembly operation. Using state-of-the-art technology, Milledgeville employees produce advanced composite, fiberglass and metal bonded structures for a variety of aircraft, including Boeing, G.E. Middle River Aircraft Systems, Goodrich, Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky. The facility is also a licensed FAA (N3GR436Y) and EASA (5892) repair station.
The Milledgeville site has maintained a Boeing Gold level rating for continuously delivering on time high-quality, complex parts and assemblies. Additionally, the site is certified to both AS9100 and the NADCAP/NUCAP standards.
The Milledgeville facility began in 1975 as Grumman Aerospace. The work during the first 10 years of operation primarily supported numerous military aircraft programs. In the early 1980s, the site began producing parts for the Boeing 757 aircraft. Since then, the site has increased work on commercial aircraft, creating a balance of military and commercial programs. The site became part of Vought Aircraft Industries in July 2000 when Northrop Grumman sold parts of its aerostructures business to equity funds managed by the Carlyle Group. In June 2010, Triumph Group, Inc. acquired Vought Aircraft Industries and renamed it Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division.
“The new work and site growth are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Triumph Aerostructures employees of Milledgeville,” said Site President Merlin Fechner. “By any standard of measure, this team is world class. I am very proud of them and the work they do each and every day. We are extremely pleased to bring additional jobs and revenue to the Middle Georgia area.”
