Textron Aviation’s parent company opens new Wichita facility for Bell division
The parent company of Textron Aviation on Thursday announced a new facility in Wichita for Bell Textron, a Textron Inc. company that manufactures military rotorcraft and commercial helicopters.
The company will support multiple Bell programs at the facility, including engineering, supply chain, professional manufacturing and corporate services. It currently employs 20 people at the new office.
“We are thrilled to have Bell in Wichita,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said in a statement. “Bell adding a Wichita location will help us as we continue to work to attract jobs to Wichita and provide employment for our world-recognized engineering and aviation workforce.”
Bell invested in the new Wichita office to support “future growth plans,” after the company earlier this year was selected as a finalist to pursue two U.S. Army modernization programs.
Looking ahead, Bell said it has long-term plans to grow the workforce and capabilities at the Wichita facility, located at One Cessna Blvd, building C-5. The space was previously used by Textron Aviation for engineering purposes.
“Bell is well known for its innovation which makes it a perfect fit for Wichita,” Andrew Nave, executive vice president of economic development for the Greater Wichita Partnership, said in a statement. “Wichita is the Air Capital of the World and with resources like WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research and our extensive supply chain, our region is leading innovation in design, engineering, testing and manufacturing in aerospace and beyond.”
Bell Textron is based in Fort Worth, with other locations across the globe.
“We want to thank the state of Kansas and the Wichita community for going above and beyond to support our business,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell. “We are excited to establish the Bell name in Wichita.”
This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 1:49 PM.
