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EADS North America’s KC-330 industrial facility site selection places the company’s advanced tanker offer in the spotlight
Washington, D.C., June 22, 2005
The selection of Mobile, Alabama as the KC-330 advanced tanker’s industrial facility was announced during a standing-room-only press conference in Washington, D.C., at which Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner emphasized the importance of a fair competition for the modernization of the U.S. Air Force’s aging aerial refueling fleet.
“Competition is the cornerstone of our free enterprise system,” Congressman Bonner, who represents the 1st District of Alabama, told reporters. “It is also in the best interest of the American taxpayer, and it is the right thing to do for the men and women who put on the uniform of our country and fight to preserve our freedom.”
In detailing the selection of Mobile’s Brookley Industrial Complex as the KC-330’s U.S. production site, EADS North American Chairman & CEO Ralph D. Crosby said the it ranked highest among the candidate locations in terms of transportation, runway infrastructure, strong community support and active aerospace industry. The decision came after an intensive five-month nationwide search that evaluated 70 proposed sites in 32 states. In its last phase, the competition came down to locations in four finalist states.
Crosby said EADS North America is committed to offering the KC-330 as American solution, produced with a highly qualified and experienced U.S. industrial team.
“In the end, this process is all about establishing an American-based foundation from which to compete for the next USAF tanker,” Crosby said. “EADS has emerged as the world’s leader in aerial refueling solutions with key wins in the UK, Australia, Germany and Canada. We’ve succeeded by offering the best value solutions to these demanding customers.”
Alabama Governor Bob Riley called EADS North America’s decision on the Brookley Industrial Complex as a “win, win, win” solution. “You’re coming to a state that’s probably as patriotic as any other in the nation, and when the people of Alabama have an opportunity to produce a product for our fighting forces, they’ll do it, and they’ll take pride in it,” Riley said. “So I think this is a win for Alabama, a win for your company, and a win for America.”
Activity at the Brookley Industrial Complex will begin with the establishment of an Airbus Engineering Center, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2006. Employment at the Airbus facility will grow to approximately 150 persons, and it is to support continuing engineering work on commercial Airbus models and military derivative aircraft - including the A330, A340 and A350 jetliners, as well as the KC-330 tanker.
KC-330 production at the Alabama site would be initiated upon receipt of an order from the U.S. Air Force for the aerial refueling tanker. Depending on the size and pace of the Air Force order, the total facility investment could reach $600 million, and direct employment levels could be as high as 1,000 workers.
In a related announcement at the press conference, Crosby said EADS North America will continue its association with the other three finalist states of Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina by establishing an advanced engineering internship and cooperative program. This program will be based at the new Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile, with each state receiving a $100,000 grant, disbursed over the five-year program, to support engineering interns at the facility.
“We have come to respect the leadership of these great states, and want to continue our association with them as we expand our presence in the U.S.,” Crosby explained. “The internship program will provide an opportunity for students to gain practical work experience while also supporting the ongoing university aerospace engineering programs in the three participating states, helping to address the growing demand for qualified engineers in this critical field throughout the region.”
