Collins Aerospace has officially opened a new aircraft interiors facility in Lenexa, Kansas in the USA. Located in the Kansas Commerce Center, the 279,000 square-foot facility is now the US centre of excellence for Collins’ Interior Products portfolio, which supports galley inserts, oxygen systems and lighting product lines.
Collins has had a presence in Lenexa since the 1960s. The new building more than doubles the square footage of the previous facility, and has space for future expansion. Collins says the new facility has a focus on engineering, new product development, unique manufacturing processes and a robust maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service area, all investments made to strengthen the growth of Collins’ Interior Products portfolio and its aftermarket service and support organisation. The Lenexa site also includes office space, an expanded laboratory space, a large manufacturing floor, and loading docks for efficient distribution.
“This new facility is an investment in Collins, our customers and the Lenexa community we’ve called home for more than half a century,” said Brad Haselhorst, vice president and general manager of Interior Products at Collins Aerospace. “We’ve been fortunate to be able to tap into the talented and diverse workforce in the Lenexa and greater Kansas City area and look forward to the continued growth of our workforce here as we strive to better support our customers.”
There are currently more than 60 open jobs available at the site – with positions ranging from repair station technicians, to engineering, supply chain and manufacturing/assembly – with plans for future facility expansion and additional job availability as business needs arise. Production labour employees are eligible for a US$1,500 sign-on bonus and all employees are eligible for the Collins Aerospace Employee Scholar Program, which offers free paid tuition and three hours of study time per week for continuing education at colleges and universities.