Cirrus has expanded its manufacturing facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, adding more than 30,000 square feet to increase composite production capacity.
The expanded facility is designed to improve the movement of composite parts through production, while providing additional space for automation, equipment integration, and manufacturing operations. The site supports production of composite components for the company’s SR Series aircraft and Vision Jet.
The Grand Forks facility employs about 500 people, with around 80% working directly in manufacturing. Its operations include composite production, engineering, CNC machining, safety, quality assurance, training, and other manufacturing functions.
The expansion also provides additional capacity for the production of composite components for Cirrus’ upcoming TRAC10 flight training aircraft.
“This expansion reflects our continued investment in our people, our products, and the Grand Forks community,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer at Cirrus. He highlighted, “By adding more than 30,000 square feet, creating new jobs, and enhancing our workplace for our team members, we’re positioning Cirrus for continued growth. The strong partnerships we’ve built with the City of Grand Forks, the State of North Dakota, the Bank of North Dakota, and the University of North Dakota have given us the confidence to continue investing here, including making Grand Forks the location where we will manufacture composites for the new TRAC10 flight training aircraft.”
The additional space is intended to support higher production rates and provide greater flexibility for manufacturing and equipment upgrades.
“Grand Forks has played an essential role in Cirrus’ growth and manufacturing strategy for decades,” said Pat Waddick, President of Innovation and Operations at Cirrus. He added, “Our success starts with our people and our supportive community. This investment allows us to create an even better environment for our team while expanding the capacity and capabilities needed to support our continued growth.”
The expanded facility opened on August 14. Its composite manufacturing operations form part of Cirrus’ wider aircraft production network.
