UK-based GKN Aerospace is planning to open a new manufacturing facility in Venture Crossings Enterprise Centre in Bay County, Florida, US.

To be operated on lease, the proposed facility will be developed and owned by a subsidiary of St. Joe Company, and designed to meet GKN Aerospace’s specific requirements. 

GKN Aerospace is also planning to invest around $50m in the facility, which is expected to offer 170 new jobs.

GKN Aerospace North America aerostructures business CEO Mike Grunza said: “This investment emphasises our commitment to manufacturing in North America, as this new world-class facility will create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future.

“The excellent support we have received from Bay County EDA, Governor Rick Scott’s office, higher educational partners and The St. Joe Company made Florida an ideal location for GKN.” 

"This new world-class facility will create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future."

Enterprise Florida, University of West Florida, Bay County Economic Development Alliance (Bay County EDA), Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bay County Board of County Commissioners, and others are also involved in the project.

In 2015, GKN Aerospace announced its plan to open a new manufacturing facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to produce inlet lip skins for Boeing 737 MAX and 777X aircraft programmes.

The new 126,000ft² facility is expected to manufacture one-piece 737 MAX and two-piece 777X lip skins.