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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Australia-Based Quickstep Plans Wichita, Kansas, Operations Complex

07/19/2023
Quickstep, Australia’s largest independent aerospace composite manufacturer, plans to establish its first U.S. engineering and manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas.

The company will initially focus on the commercial and defense UAS markets with plans to increasingly expand into commercial and defense aerostructures and aviation electrification. Operations are scheduled for 2024.

“Wichita is a globally recognized center of excellence for aerospace technology. The location itself will offer significant business-winning opportunities,” said Quickstep Inc. Vice President Steve Osborne. “Our presence in the U.S. is already presenting greater certainty over new business opportunities and opening many more potential customer and contractual relationships. This is an exciting time for Quickstep and establishing our U.S. capability will be a defining feature of growth across the group.”

Quickstep is a global provider of advanced composite solutions to the aerospace, defense, commercial, government and other advanced manufacturing sectors. The company is the largest independent aerospace-grade composite manufacturer in Australia, partnering with some of the world’s largest Aerospace and Defence organizations including: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Boeing and Marand Precision Engineering.

“The Air Capital of the World provides a robust aerospace value chain ecosystem and proximity to customers across North America,” noted Nadira Hazim-Patrick, Assistant Secretary of Kansas Department of Commerce. “An innovative industry leader such as Quickstep is who Governor Kelly envisioned landing when making aerospace a target sector for Kansas’ economic development efforts.”

“Quickstep’s global manufacturing presence paired with the Greater Wichita region’s robust aviation ecosystem, composites expertise and strong-supply chain presents an ideal opportunity for continued economic growth and innovation," added Greater Wichita Partnership President Jeff Fluhr.

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