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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Australian Defense Contractor EOS Chooses Huntsville, Alabama, Site For Plant

06/08/2018
Electro Optic Systems, a Australia-based defense contractor specializing in remotely controlled weapon systems, plans today to locate its flagship United States manufacturing facility in technology-focused Huntsville, Alabama. The company plans to create as many as 100 jobs in the first year.

EOS Defence System’s primary products are a family of Remote Weapon Stations, or RWS. In response to growing demand for these systems, the Hume, Australia-based company decided to expand RWS production to the United States.

It is now outfitting a state-of-the-art production facility on Wall Triana Highway in Huntsville. The initial investment in the project is $2.5 million, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“EOS is very happy to have the opportunity to formally join the Huntsville community,” said Phil Coker, the company’s U.S. president. “Northern Alabama is an area of incredible people, outstanding institutions and immense potential and we are thrilled to have the chance to establish a business in this area.”

Bob Greene, a group co-CEO and a founder of the EOS, said the Huntsville facility will supply global customers and the U.S. military with the systems manufactured in Alabama.

Grant Sanderson, CEO of EOS’ Defence Systems Group, said Huntsville was selected over cities in Tucson and the Dallas Fort Worth area for the facility.

According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, “while the company plans to hire up to 100 full-time workers in the first year, it said it plans to expand the Alabama facility’s workforce to more than 200 employees with additional contracts.”

“EOS’ decision to locate its new manufacturing center in Alabama is a reflection of the state’s attractive business climate and its skilled workers, who prove their capabilities each and every day,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Huntsville will make a great home for the company because Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ offers every advantage a business needs to succeed.”

“Huntsville serves as a critical hub for high-tech defense work, and that makes the city a smart choice for EOS as it develops a flagship U.S. manufacturing facility,” said Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield .“We look forward to building a strong partnership with the company and seeing it grow both its business and its workforce in coming years.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said EOS, whose facility will have an annual payroll of $5.7 million once its workforce numbers 100, is a great addition to the city’s roster of high-tech and defense companies.“The important thing to this community is that they are bringing in technology that is a springboard to our future,” he said.

With EOS joining shipbuilder Austal in Mobile, Alabama is now home to Australia’s two largest defense contractors.

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