Wichita, KS --- Here's some good news for Wichita's aviation industry. French based Figeac-Aero breaks ground to expand its Wichita operations.
Figeac-Aero supplies airplane parts for such companies as Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Spirit AeroSystems, Embraer and more.
The company is in the midst of a $20-million expansion which will include building its North American headquarters building on 39th Street North and Webb Road.
Figeac's Wichita Vice President and General Manager Hocine Benaoum says, "Figeac really wanted to be in the Air Capital of the World."
He says, "At this plant we plan to create 200 jobs." Currently the facility has 110 employees which is up from 46 six months ago. Benaoum says the company could hire as many as 400 new employees over the next few years. He says the company expects to double its revenue from $250-million to $500-million by 2018.
A host of city, county and state dignitaries participated in the groundbreaking Friday morning. Governor Sam Brownback says the state's been working on getting Figeac to make this expansion in Wichita for two years. Gov. Brownback says, "This is exactly what we need to improve our supply chain. We have a great supply chain in South Central Kansas and these guys are a great addition to it."
Benaoum says Figeac wanted to expand in the U.S. because it's still the largest aviation market. But he says the company wanted to expand in Wichita specifically because of the skilled aviation work force available here. "We need people available now. And due to the fact that these people are here, are trained with your schools and experience in different company it will definitely help us to grow fast."
Figeac got state and local incentives to expand including $250,000 forgivable loans from both Wichita and Sedgwick County and a five year property tax abatement.
- Source: http://www.kake.com
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