This time last year, newly restructured Sargent Aerospace & Defense was busily expanding its component-making facilities in anticipation of a full-blown industry recovery in the second half of this year. Preparing to depart for this week’s Paris Air Show, the U.S. group’s president Scott Still said this trend has since been deferred by what he estimates to be six to nine months, but he has no regrets about getting his company in growth mode and is already reaping the benefits of an investment totaling some $20 million.
In August, Sargent expects to open its new 70,000-sq-ft facility in Tucson, Arizona–more than doubling the size of its headquarters. Production equipment is being installed next month and work is already under way to transfer activities from the company’s other factories in California. Overall, employment at the site is targeted to grow by around 100, with 30 jobs added so far and up to another 40 anticipated in the first half of next year. In addition to existing in-production aircraft, Sargent is gearing up for its contributions to Boeing’s new 787 widebody and the Airbus A350XWB, as well as Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter.
