thedrifter
03-27-08, 08:16 AM
Lofty ambitions
But aerospace firm has feet on the ground with a military contract and jobs for residents
BY SHARON McBRAYER
smcbrayer@morganton.com
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
MORGANTON - Bob Skillen and Ray Jones became close friends when they were students at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
The two went their separate ways when they graduated in 1981.
Skillen became a Navy aviator flying F14s and then an engineer working on attack helicopters. After four years working on that program, he started his own construction company.
Jones became a patent attorney.
After about 25 years of success in their respective fields of work, the two met up again and decided it was time for a change.
So they looked around and decided Burke County was where they wanted to start their aerospace company. They needed, and found, a motivated work force.
Skillen and Jones, both 49, started VX Aerospace. That was two years ago and the business is now housed in a large metal building on U.S. 70 between Morganton and Drexel.
But the company, which currently employs eight workers, plans to expand in a big way.
"In subsequent years we're hoping to have in the hundreds," Skillen said.
It designs and manufacturers advanced composite replacement parts used in military aircraft and unmanned, single-engine planes, Skillen said.
It already has a military contract to build covers for the drive shaft of 62 H-46 helicopters - considered a truck for the Marine Corp, Skillen said. The helicopters can haul 17 Marines in full gear and equipment, he said. It is a $2.25 million contract, Skillen said.
The military thought the company might need help with designing and constructing the parts, so a decommissioned H-46 helicopter now sits in the building.
The H-46 helicopters are reworked at the Marine Corp Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C., Skillen said.
The company also conducts its own research and development, he said.
Skillen said the company will be ramping up production and by the end of the year they hope to employ around 25 workers and break ground on a new home.
Skillen said they plan to build a new 30,000 square foot to 50,000 square foot facility at the Morganton-Lenoir Airport.
And the business is getting some help.
The company just received a $350,000 low-interest loan from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. Skillen said the money will be spent on additional equipment such as woodworking and metal tools and another air compressor.
"We're just happy to be here and find the local folks to be wonderful," Skillen said.
He said the company has had a lot of support and assistance from Burke and Caldwell county officials.
"That whole experience has just been positive," Skillen said.
Ellie
But aerospace firm has feet on the ground with a military contract and jobs for residents
BY SHARON McBRAYER
smcbrayer@morganton.com
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
MORGANTON - Bob Skillen and Ray Jones became close friends when they were students at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
The two went their separate ways when they graduated in 1981.
Skillen became a Navy aviator flying F14s and then an engineer working on attack helicopters. After four years working on that program, he started his own construction company.
Jones became a patent attorney.
After about 25 years of success in their respective fields of work, the two met up again and decided it was time for a change.
So they looked around and decided Burke County was where they wanted to start their aerospace company. They needed, and found, a motivated work force.
Skillen and Jones, both 49, started VX Aerospace. That was two years ago and the business is now housed in a large metal building on U.S. 70 between Morganton and Drexel.
But the company, which currently employs eight workers, plans to expand in a big way.
"In subsequent years we're hoping to have in the hundreds," Skillen said.
It designs and manufacturers advanced composite replacement parts used in military aircraft and unmanned, single-engine planes, Skillen said.
It already has a military contract to build covers for the drive shaft of 62 H-46 helicopters - considered a truck for the Marine Corp, Skillen said. The helicopters can haul 17 Marines in full gear and equipment, he said. It is a $2.25 million contract, Skillen said.
The military thought the company might need help with designing and constructing the parts, so a decommissioned H-46 helicopter now sits in the building.
The H-46 helicopters are reworked at the Marine Corp Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C., Skillen said.
The company also conducts its own research and development, he said.
Skillen said the company will be ramping up production and by the end of the year they hope to employ around 25 workers and break ground on a new home.
Skillen said they plan to build a new 30,000 square foot to 50,000 square foot facility at the Morganton-Lenoir Airport.
And the business is getting some help.
The company just received a $350,000 low-interest loan from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. Skillen said the money will be spent on additional equipment such as woodworking and metal tools and another air compressor.
"We're just happy to be here and find the local folks to be wonderful," Skillen said.
He said the company has had a lot of support and assistance from Burke and Caldwell county officials.
"That whole experience has just been positive," Skillen said.
Ellie