GKN to assemble the HondaJet

GKN Aerospace has announced
that the company will establish a new aerospace components assembly facility in
Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The new GKN Aerospace
facility will perform assembly operations for the recently-awarded production
contract for the HondaJet, the development work for which is currently
performed at the company’s Alabama
facility. This work will involve assembly of the fuselage for Honda’s new
HondaJet light business jet – work which is scheduled to begin at the
Orangeburg site in mid-2012.

Design and equipping of the
new plant will begin shortly and is scheduled to be operational by late 2012. Kevin
Cummings, president and chief executive officer, Aerostructures – North, GKN
Aerospace noted: “This facility is at the heart of the growth of our business
in the US.
The contract on the pioneering HondaJet represents a new product line, and a
customer relationship of which we are particularly proud. This move brings the
vital assembly activity close to Honda’s own plant. Over the longer term we
expect the new site to serve a range of aerospace customers on assembly tasks
across civil and military aviation.”

He continued “Throughout our
site selection process, the State of South Carolina,
Orangeburg County Council, and the City of Orangeburg Council have been visionary and
enthusiastic partners. The relationship we have developed with their team was a
key factor in our decision process.”