Summit Aeronautics still growing and hiring in Helena

Expansion is once again on the horizon for Summit Aeronautics http://www.summitaero.com/ . The Helena aerospace concern plans to add 50,000 square feet to its current 75,000 square-foot plant at the airport, with 35 to 50 new employees bringing the payroll to upwards of 130.

The expansion will make additional room for Summit to manufacture titanium parts for Boeing’s 787 commercial jet, currently in development. Summit machines pieces of the titanium framework used to assemble sections of the aircraft.

For nine-year-old Summit, which initially manufactured parts for military aircraft, moving into the commercial marketplace helps the company by broadening its customer base.

“It’s about diversification into the commercial market,” said president Tom Hoffman. “You don’t want everything to be in just the military market or the commercial market. You want to be diversified.”

In addition to Boeing, Summit has contracts to make parts for regional passenger jet manufacturers in Japan and Brazil. Its military business is growing as well. Whereas the firm once concentrated on engine bay doors for F-22 fighter jets, several other titanium parts for the high-tech fighters are now made here.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2006/06/16/helena/a01061606_05.txt