GKN Aerospace has further expanded its manufacturing footprint in Mexico with the commissioning of an additional building at its Chihuahua aerospace facility, reinforcing its Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) capabilities and strengthening its position as a key supplier to the North American aerospace industry.
The latest expansion follows the company’s major investment in July 2024, when it doubled the site’s manufacturing capacity to 160,000 square feet. The newly operational building will support the continued growth of EWIS production while complementing the facility’s existing expertise in composite and metallic aerostructures.
The investment is aimed at meeting increasing demand from both the commercial and defence aviation sectors, while enabling GKN Aerospace to offer more integrated manufacturing solutions to aircraft manufacturers across North America.
Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) are among the most critical systems in modern aircraft, forming the backbone of electrical power distribution, avionics connectivity, flight control systems and onboard equipment. As next-generation aircraft become increasingly electrified and digitally connected, demand for advanced EWIS manufacturing capabilities continues to rise across the aerospace industry.
By expanding these capabilities alongside its established aerostructures production, GKN Aerospace is positioning the Chihuahua site as a multi-technology manufacturing hub capable of supporting complex aircraft programmes from a single location.
Enrique Alatorre, Senior Vice President – EWIS at GKN Aerospace, said the expansion represents another important milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy in Mexico. “This marks an important step in the continued development of our operations in Mexico. By bringing this additional building into operation in Chihuahua and expanding our EWIS capabilities alongside our proven aerostructures production, we are well positioned to deliver integrated solutions directly to our North American customers. This investment reflects our confidence in Chihuahua’s highly skilled workforce, competitive infrastructure and its strategic role in supporting the future of sustainable aviation,” Alatorre said.
The facility expansion has received strong backing from the Government of Chihuahua and builds on the more than 200 high-value engineering, specialised process and production jobs created during the site’s previous expansion.
The increased manufacturing capacity is expected to improve production efficiency and shorten delivery timelines for several major aerospace programmes. GKN Aerospace currently supports leading aircraft manufacturers including Gulfstream, Airbus and HondaAircraft, supplying critical structural and electrical systems for multiple commercial and business aviation platforms.
Governor Maru Campos said the continued investment reinforces Chihuahua’s growing importance within the global aerospace manufacturing landscape.
“GKN Aerospace’s continued growth reaffirms Chihuahua’s position as a strategic partner for the global aerospace industry. The confidence that leading aerospace companies place in our state reflects the quality of our workforce, our competitive business environment and our government’s commitment to supporting innovation and long-term industrial growth. We will continue working closely with GKN Aerospace to create high-value employment opportunities and support the technologies that will shape the future of aviation,” she said.
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The expansion also reflects a broader trend across the aerospace industry, where manufacturers are strengthening regional production capabilities to improve supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on geographically dispersed suppliers. As aircraft production rates continue to recover and demand for more electric aircraft systems accelerates, investments in specialised manufacturing hubs such as Chihuahua are becoming increasingly important.
For the aviation aftermarket and MRO sector, enhanced EWIS manufacturing capacity is equally significant. Modern aircraft rely on increasingly sophisticated electrical architectures, making the availability of certified wiring systems, replacement components and engineering support essential for efficient maintenance and fleet sustainment. By expanding its integrated manufacturing capabilities, GKN Aerospace is not only supporting OEM production programmes but also helping reinforce the long-term supply chain that underpins aircraft maintenance, repair and lifecycle support across the global aviation industry.
