Woodward will build a 300,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Greer, South Carolina, to produce servo-hydraulic actuation systems for aircraft. Most of the output will support spoiler actuation for the Airbus A350. The site is planned to open in 2027 with scope for further capacity increases.

Around 275 jobs will be created across manufacturing, engineering and business functions, with potential for further expansion. Chip Blankenship, chairman and CEO of Woodward, says: “The selection of Woodward to supply Airbus with spoiler actuation systems and our investment in South Carolina represent a major milestone for Woodward and our commitment to delivering leading controls solutions to our customers and creating value for our shareholders.”

The $200m investment follows a nationwide search. Woodward selected Spartanburg County for its aerospace talent, supplier access and proximity to infrastructure. Blankenship adds: “It will be a showcase manufacturing site, much like our Rock Cut campus, vertically integrated, highly automated, and built on the capabilities and methodologies in operational excellence we’ve developed through our LEAP and GTF aircraft engine programs.”