Firth Rixson Forgings LLC, a subsidiary of U.K.-based Firth Rixson Limited, has announced it will expand its forged metal operation in Midway, GA, which manufactures aerospace industry components. The company expects to add 75 to 100 jobs--bringing its total employees to at about 304--when the plant is in full production mode. Groundbreaking for the expansion is set for January 2012.

"We are delighted to increase our presence among the other aero industry leaders doing business in Georgia," said Firth Rixson CEO David Mortimer. "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."

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. The company provides forged and other engineered metal products used to build aircraft engines, structural components, and other applications in more than 40 countries.

During the expansion project Firth Rixson will install a new isothermal forging press, along with a fully automated manufacturing line. The installation will increase the 200,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing floor space at the Georgia facility by around 20 percent, and integrate additional dedicated manufacturing process equipment.

The Midway operation (opened January 2011) is the company's fourth closed die forging operation and largest greenfield investment. It requires a workforce with a high degree of technical expertise and problem-solving capacity.

Governor Nathn Deal noted that not every state or location provide the workforce to handle these highly technical jobs, many of which require engineering expertise. "Georgia can," he said, "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."

"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."