ABI opens Newton plant, enters partnership with Okla. firm

Aircraft supplier ABI Group of Companies announced a new partnership Thursday that will mean a few new jobs and a formal opening date for its new chemical plant in Newton.

Officials from ABI, based in Wichita, said the company has formed a partnership with Centerline Inc. that will provide spindle repair services to aircraft suppliers and other manufacturers in south-central Kansas.

Anna Sage, ABI sales director, said there are 10,000 spindles in use by manufacturers and aircraft suppliers in the Wichita area.

Spindles are a key component used by computer numeric controlled, or CNC, machines that cut and shape metal parts. When spindles in a CNC machine break, it renders the machine inoperable.

Through the partnership with Centerline, a Ponca City, Okla., company that repairs CNC spindles, ABI will be able to initiate repair services in the area for manufacturers that need spindles repaired. The partnership provides for ABI to act as the sales and logistics arm for Centerline in the south-central region, and eventually all of Kansas.

“When dealing with a spindle repair, turnaround speed is of the essence,” Stephan Engster, Centerline president, said in a statement. “With ABI’s resources on the ground in Kansas, our customers, with one phone call, can initiate immediate spindle repair action.”

Sage said in an interview Thursday that because of the partnership, ABI has hired two new employees and will likely add more as it expands the spindle repair effort throughout the state.

“This is a great addition for local manufacturers,” she said.

On Thursday, ABI also announced it would have a formal opening ceremony on Aug. 4 for its new plant at 620 N. Oliver, at the Newton City-County Airport.

James Havers-Strong, ABI chief executive, said Thursday that the 20,000-square-foot plant manufactures next-generation protective coatings used in the chemical milling process of aircraft components.

The plant has begun production and currently employs five people. Once it reaches full production, the plant will employ 12 people, he said.

The Aug. 4 ceremony will include remarks from U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, as well as officials from Harvey County, the city of Newton and Wichita State University. ABI is a partner in WSU’s planned innovation campus.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 5:26 PM with the headline "ABI opens Newton plant, enters partnership with Okla. firm."