Honda Aero breaks ground on expansion of N.C. facility

Apr. 19, 2016 – Honda Aero Inc. (HAI) today added to its capability to produce light-jet engines as well as top-flight maintenance and service, as it breaks ground on a new $21-million, 50,000-square-foot facility expansion on its Burlington, N.C., campus. The addition is expected to create 20 to 30 new jobs over the next few years.

HAI expects to complete the facility by early 2017, which will allow it to expand its manufacturing flexibility and production capability for the HF120 light-jet engine as well as any future projects.

“Honda Aero is very excited to expand upon the strong foundation we have established in North Carolina and increase our production capabilities,” said Honda Aero president Atsukuni Waragai. “This facility will give us increased flexibility and capacity to continue providing the very best products and services for our customers.”

HAI currently produces the HF120 engine for GE Honda Aero Engines, building and servicing the engine that powers the HondaJet at its Burlington facility. Equipped with the HF120 engine, the HondaJet began delivery in December 2015. The HF120 is also available for other airframe applications.

HAI is the official maintenance repair and overhaul facility for the HF120 engine, and boasts a “state-of-the-art” test cell, repair and overhaul along with parts warehousing.

“In addition to being an important day for our business, this is another big step for our Honda Aero associates, as we continue to grow and mature our aviation manufacturing capabilities in Burlington,” said Tony Brandewie, vice president of Honda Aero. “As the footprint of our operation expands, so does our partnership with the local community, especially with the Burlington-Alamance Airport Authority which has been instrumental in supporting our business.”

GE Honda Aero Engines is a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Honda and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The joint company integrates the resources of GE Aviation and Honda Aero, a Honda subsidiary established to manage its aviation engine business.