14,000-square-foot expansion to increase manufacturing and MRO capacity for commercial and military aviation
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is expanding its West Des Moines, Iowa, facility with a new 14,000-square-foot addition to increase capacity for growing commercial and military aviation programmes and customer demand.
The multi-million-dollar investment will expand an operation that manufactures advanced fuel distribution systems, original equipment components and spare parts, while also providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
The West Des Moines site ships more than 25,000 engine nozzles each month and operates as an FAA-certified Part 145 repair station, specialising in engine nozzle systems and powerplant accessories.
The expansion is designed to strengthen Collins Aerospace’s ability to support increasing demand for its fuel distribution and engine component products, while improving delivery performance and manufacturing capabilities.
The facility currently employs approximately 300 full-time employees. Collins plans to add further roles by the end of 2026, with additional hiring expected through 2027 as programme requirements continue to grow.
“This investment at our West Des Moines site demonstrates our commitment to advancing commercial and military aviation through our innovative fuel-distribution technology,” said James Bagg, Vice President and General Manager of Engine Control Systems at Collins Aerospace. “This expansion helps us enhance delivery performance, improve manufacturing capabilities, and add jobs to meet growing customer demand.”
For the aftermarket, the investment also adds capacity to a facility already supporting engine component repair through its Part 145 approval. The combination of production, spare-parts manufacturing and repair capabilities gives the site a role across both the original equipment and aftermarket sides of the engine component lifecycle. The latest expansion follows a significant investment at the West Des Moines operation in 2023, when Collins completed a $14 million, 9,000-square-foot expansion of its Delavan Drive facility.
That project increased the site’s additive manufacturing capabilities through the installation of advanced metal 3D printers. Collins said the technology has supported faster production, shorter lead times, and the development of lighter and more efficient aerospace components.
The facility has since received National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program certification for additive manufacturing, further supporting its role in advanced aerospace component production.
Collins describes the West Des Moines operation as a major centre for advanced fuel nozzle production, with its products supporting a broad range of commercial and military platforms. The combination of high-volume engine nozzle production, additive manufacturing, spare-parts capability and FAA Part 145 repair activity positions the facility to support both current programmes and future demand for engine components.
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Construction of the new 14,000-square-foot addition is scheduled to begin later this month, with completion expected in mid-2027.
The expansion will increase the site’s manufacturing footprint while adding further capacity to support Collins Aerospace’s engine component and MRO activities as commercial and military aviation programmes continue to grow.
