February 7, 2007 – ACROHELIPRO Global Services, Inc. (ACROHELIPRO), the Andalusia-Opp Airport Authority and the Covington County Economic Development Commission has announced approval for the construction of 36,700 sq/ft helicopter maintenance facility, located at the Andalusia-Opp Airport. The Airport Authority has included the new ACROHELIPRO facility as a part of its $35 million Capital Improvement Program for the airport.
The new state-of-the-art facility provides assets including a newer, larger maintenance facility capable of accommodating additional maintenance work, capacity for a future expansion of 20,000 sq/ft, and opportunity for an increase in employment for local skilled tradespersons. Initial estimates indicate ACROHELIPRO will experience a workforce increase of approximately 100%; from the current level of 55 employees to more than 100.
Mr. Ronnie Kearns, General Manager of ACROHELIPRO-Andalusia emphasizes, “This new facility further enhances the ongoing (5-year) partnership between the Andalusia-Opp Airport and ACROHELIPRO. Additionally, it enables ACROHELIPRO to expand its capability to provide world-class, full service avionics, structures, fabrication and completions services to an ever-growing regional and global client base.”
Kearns explains that ACROHELIPRO selected the Andalusia-Opp Airport based on its geographical accessibility for aviation industry operators, availability to a highly-trained workforce, and the willingness of county and city leaders to support regional growth within the aviation industry. In specific, he identifies the leadership of the Covington County Commission; the cities of Andalusia and Opp; the Andalusia-Opp Airport Authority; the Covington County Economic Development Commission; the Covington County Economic Development Commission State Representative, State Speaker Seth Hammett, and Senator Jimmy Holley for their commitment ongoing support of ACROHELIPRO’s partnership within the region. An example of this ongoing commitment is the recent addition of the Enterprise-Ozark Aviation Technical College to the airport, which features the unique capability of offering onsite training to aviation industry apprentices.
Mr. Bill Benton, Director of Andalusia-Opp Airport states, “ACROHELIPRO has become a cornerstone commercial facility at our airport. We have developed a successful partnership, and are proud that the airport’s Capital Improvement Program and management capability has attracted this commitment from a world-leader in the helicopter industry. This airport is committed to ensuring we continue to meet the current and future business needs of ACROHELIPRO and its employees.”
ACROHELIPRO Global Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace, is a world-leader in providing comprehensive tip-to-tail maintenance, repair and overhaul services for helicopters and components including engines, airframes, avionics components and accessories. Headquartered in Richmond, British Colombia, Canada, ACROHELIPRO Global Services Inc. is recognized as a top exporter, and as an industry-recognized “employer of choice,” with approximately 550 employees at six facilities throughout North America