Alabama’s showing at 2025 Paris Air Show could bring significant investment, Commerce hopes

A coalition of Alabama officials are hopeful that the state’s showing this year at the Paris Air Show will draw significant investment into the state’s aerospace and defense industries after the conclusion of the show’s first day Monday.

The biennial Paris Air Show is the world’s largest aerospace exhibition, where aerospace and defense companies showcase the latest in aerospace technology.

“We’re at the Paris Air Show to strengthen relationships, pursue new investment, and position Alabama as the go-to destination for aerospace growth in the U.S,” Bob Smith, commerce’s specialist on the aerospace industry, said in a statement Monday.

“We feel like we made a lot of progress moving toward our objectives today, and we’re looking forward to making even more progress on Tuesday.”

Alabama companies representing the state this year are SEA Wire and Cable and Alabama Aerospace. SEA Wire Cable, based in Madison, is a distributor of military-aerospace wire, cable, tubing and other materials used in military and commercial aerospace products. Alabama Aerospace, based in Huntsville, distributes tools and electromechanical components used for aircrafts, missiles, spacecrafts and defense systems.

“Our mission is to provide flawless parts to the warfighter, astronaut and sailor,” said David Clark, general manager of Alabama Aerospace, in a statement. “We will meet many of our suppliers and customers at the exhibit. Our focus will be on expanding our exports and relationships in Europe.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama ranked 4th in the nation for having the most aerospace engineers as of May of 2023, with 4,950. Of those, 4,280 work in Huntsville. Considering Alabama’s population, the state has the single-highest concentration of aerospace engineers in the nation.

According to commerce, more than $4 billion in investment directly related to the aerospace industry poured into the state over the past decade, and created around 10,000 jobs. Companies leading the way for investment included Airbus, United Launch Alliance, GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

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Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said she was hopeful that Alabama’s showing this year at the Paris Air Show would only grow aerospace investment in the state.

“I see high-growth opportunities for Alabama’s aerospace industry, both in terms of new capital investment and job creation,” McNair.

“Our sector is broad and vast, with core competencies in just about every activity conducted within the industry. In addition, the companies operating in Alabama are nimble and able to capitalize on the new technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.”

Alabama’s booth was visited Monday by several members of Alabama’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Katie Britt, and Reps. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, and Mike Rogers, R-Saks. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also visited the booth, speaking with other attending Alabama officials, including Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.

Fuller, whose city is home to several companies in the aerospace and defense industry, including Hanwha Cimarron and Integrated Solutions for Systems, said he was optimistic that Opelika could benefit from further investment in the aerospace and defense industries.

“We had a wonderful day today making contacts, and I expect more of the same tomorrow,” Fuller said.

The air show ends Sunday.

This story is from alabamadailynews.com.