Collins Aerospace invests $200 million to expand carbon brake manufacturing site in Washington
Collins Aerospace has announced plans to expand manufacturing at its carbon brake production site in Spokane, Washington. The RTX company, which specializes in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry, will invest $200 million into the project, expanding the site by 50% or 70,000 square feet. This additional manufacturing space includes up to three new buildings and additional furnaces. The facility currently manufactures braking systems with DURACARB carbon disk technology.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Matt Maurer, vice president and general manager for Landing Systems at Collins Aerospace, said, "Collins Aerospace is a key contributor to the Pacific Northwest aerospace manufacturing industry and plays a significant role in Spokane's economy and technological innovation. This expansion will enhance both our manufacturing capacity and capabilities with the latest in process innovation and efficiencies while ensuring our workforce readiness to meet the growing global demand for our carbon brakes."
Governor Jay Inslee added, "We are excited to see Collins select Washington state for this expansion of high-tech manufacturing. These new jobs will add to a growing aerospace sector in Spokane County, and the state has committed to partnering on further efforts that ensure the county can offer companies a world-class aerospace workforce and positive business environment."
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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