New aerospace jobs land in Liberty County

Firth Rixson Forgings, LLC, to add up to 100 new employees

Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that Firth Rixson Forgings LLC, a subsidiary of U.K.-based Firth Rixson Limited, will expand its forged metal operation in Midway as a result of increased business. The company anticipates creating 75 to 100 new jobs, bringing its total employees to 304 when in full production mode.

“We are pleased Firth Rixson’s experience in the state has been such a positive one they have chosen to expand here,” said Deal. “It’s not every state or every location that can provide the workforce to handle these highly technical jobs, many of which require engineering expertise. Georgia can, and I give great credit to our academic facilities, especially those on the coast, for providing the quality of training companies such as Firth Rixson require.”

Firth Rixson’s Midway operation, which opened in January 2011, provides components for the aerospace industry. The facility is the company’s fourth closed die forging operation and its largest greenfield investment. The company anticipates breaking ground in January 2012 for this expansion, its first on the site.

Firth Rixson will install a new isothermal forging press, along with a fully automated manufacturing line. Unique in design, function and control, the isothermal unit will have the capability of manufacturing a broad range of aero engine isothermal component requirements. The new installation will increase the 200,000-square-foot manufacturing floor space at the Georgia facility by around 20 percent, and will include the integration of additional dedicated manufacturing process equipment. The operation will require a workforce with a high degree of technical expertise and problem-solving capacity.

“We are delighted to increase our presence among the other aero industry leaders doing business in Georgia,” said David Mortimer, CEO of Firth Rixson. “The addition of isothermal forging capability once again affirms Firth Rixson’s commitment to provide the aerospace industry with technological solutions to cost, capability, and capacity constraints. This expansion facilitates the development of unique technological partnerships, guaranteeing supply chain security for the aero industry customer base.”

A major supplier to companies including Rolls Royce, GE, and Pratt & Whitney, the company owns 12 production facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America and provides forged and other engineered metal products used to build aircraft engines, structural components, and other applications to OEMs and subcontractors in more than 40 countries. The products include engine discs, cases, shafts, and super alloy bar, used in high-temperature gas turbine engines.

The aerospace industry employs more than 80,000 workers in Georgia, many of whom have been trained through the nationally recognized Quick Start workforce training program. The Georgia Institute of Technology’s Savannah campus also provides a pipeline of talent to nearby companies in the aerospace sector.

"Firth Rixson's expansion in our Tradeport East Business Center further validates why Liberty County is truly a place where companies, both foreign and domestic, can grow globally," stated Allen Brown, chairman of the Liberty County Development Authority. "We are extremely pleased Firth Rixson is already expanding so soon after officially opening their facility in Liberty County earlier this year. We look forward to working with the company as they continue to add valuable manufacturing jobs to the area economy."

“As a growth industry in Georgia, aerospace is an area we focus on for business recruitment and expansion,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Our resources for the aerospace industry on the coast have now helped Firth Rixson and Gulfstream make major expansions this year.”

Andrew Neumann and Alyce Thornhill managed the project for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Headquartered in Sheffield, UK, Firth Rixson serves customers worldwide in the Aerospace market sector, and provides forgings and metal products to industries requiring highly engineered material applications. Firth Rixson owns 12 operating facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Firth Rixson Limited is owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners.