Summit Expands Aerostructures Manufacturing Operation

Summit Aviation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new facility in Somerset, Kentucky, that provides additional space for its expanding manufacturing operations. The Somerset site’s operations began in 2007 as a “labor only” supplier for Schweizer Aircraft and has since expanded to an aerostructures manufacturing operation to support a variety of commercial helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as military models.

The workforce has grown sixfold and the business has quadrupled in the past four years, according to Summit Aviation, which is part of the Greenwich AeroGroup. The ribbon cutting, held last Wedneday, celebrated a new 40,000-sq-ft facility, which increased its space by almost 50 percent.

“Our growth is a testament to the hard work of our employees, the strong partnerships we have formed over the years and the new ones we are creating,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager of Summit Aviation. Over the last 10 years, Summit has expanded its customer base to include companies such as Northrop Grumman, Bombardier Learjet and Lockheed Martin.

“Summit’s expansion is a great way to celebrate 10 years of productivity and job creation in Somerset,” added Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), who attended the ceremony.