Bell Helicopter has begun a major expansion of its Edwards & Associates repair and refurbishment subsidiary, breaking ground on a five-building construction project that includes a completion centre, maintenance hangar and production facility for the Bell 210 light utility helicopter.
Edwards is investing $8 million in the project at Piney Flats, Tennessee, and is receiving $1.1 million in state and local government economic incentives. The company expects to boost its workforce from 370 to 430 over the next two years.
Bell acquired Edwards in 1999 in a move to increase revenues from support services, including completion, maintenance, overhaul and refurbishment of its helicopters.
Source: Flight International
