Hutchinson Corporation to Open Center of Excellence in Mobile

PARIS, FRANCE—Hutchinson Corporation on Monday announced its intent to open an Aerospace Manufacturing Center of Excellence (COE) in Mobile.

This Hutchinson COE will service the region’s burgeoning aerospace industry, including the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility located at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The announcement came on the opening day of the Paris Air Show, which Governor Bentley is not attending because of timing issues related to the end of the 2015 Regular Legislative Session.

“I am pleased to welcome Hutchinson Corporation to Alabama,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Alabama is a prime location for aviation and aerospace industries to be successful. The decision to open an Aerospace Manufacturing Center of Excellence is a testament to the strong business climate in Mobile.  I appreciate Hutchinson’s investment in Alabama, and I look forward to the company’s success in Sweet Home Alabama.”

Over the next five years Hutchinson projects significant growth in Mobile, adding increased production, assembly, maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO), and service operations. Hutchinson, headquartered in Paris, France, is committed to increasing its footprint in the United States to fully support the aerospace and defense industry in North America.

Currently, Hutchinson employs more than 35,000 personnel in 25 countries and 96 sites worldwide. The company has four business lines operating in various industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, truck, and railway operations. Hutchinson product offerings include a broad array of products directed at improving customer comfort and safety to include advanced material solutions, vibration/shock controls, acoustic and thermal systems, fluid transfer systems, and unique sealing applications.

“We look forward to working with the Alabama economic development team and the state’s leadership to establish another high performance, customer-focused Manufacturing Center of Excellence that will expand Hutchinson’s operations in North America – most importantly by establishing key sites close to key aerospace customers,” Laurent Poirier, President of Hutchinson Aerospace said.”

“Establishing a manufacturing Center of Excellence in close proximity to the new Airbus facility in Mobile clearly enhances Hutchinson’s position as a major player in the aerospace industry in North America – and will enable robust support to the long list of US-based Aerospace customers,” Cedric Duclos, President and CEO, Hutchinson North America said.

Accelerate Alabama, the state’s economic development strategic plan, developed by Governor Bentley targets aerospace as one of the 11 sectors ripe for growth in Alabama.  Alabama Department of Commerce Sector Greg Canfield said Hutchinson’s decision is proof of Alabama’s attractiveness to aerospace companies.

“Hutchinson’s decision to open an Aerospace Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Mobile Aeroplex underscores the attractiveness of Alabama to companies looking to establish a presence in the region’s fast-growing aviation sector,” Canfield said. “Hutchinson is a recognized world-class company in aerospace. With its unsurpassed reputation in vibration and acoustic insulation systems, Hutchinson’s manufacturing presence in Mobile is exactly the kind of company we have worked to attract in support of the Airbus assembly facility.”