Expleo and Spirit AeroSystems sign strategic aerospace services agreement
Expleo has signed a strategic agreement with Spirit AeroSystems to deliver advanced digital engineering services for major aerospace programmes, out of a new location in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Above:
(left to right) Graham Younger, Sean Black, Jeff Hoyle and Will Hague.
Courtesy Expleo
Expleo will offer Spirit engineering services to support the development of next-generation aerospace projects. With regional headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, the Tulsa facility will use the latest digital capabilities, including AI, digital twin and automation, to maximise cost efficiency and accelerate time-to-market.
“We’re delighted to be growing our relationship with Spirit through this agreement. Ours is a long-standing strategic partnership built on trust and we’re proud our collaboration has pushed boundaries and developed meaningful innovation in aerospace,” said Graham Younger, VP of Aerospace of Expleo. “This facility will improve the cross-pollination of ideas and allow Spirit to gain maximum benefit from Expleo’s experience in engineering combined with the latest digital technologies and processes to accelerate sustainable innovation, maximise productivity and get new aircraft on runways and in the air.”
This latest collaboration builds on a long-standing commercial relationship between Expleo and Spirit, including a three-year agreement based in Spirit’s Belfast, Northern Ireland facility.
The new office in Tulsa becomes Expleo’s seventh in the United States. By the end of 2023, the new office in Downtown Tulsa will have 30 full-time Expleo employees and growth will continue into the new year.
Within the U.S. Expleo employs 350 experts providing services to the aerospace and automotive sectors. In addition to the local team of experts, Spirit will have access to Expleo’s global network of more than 17,500, including engineering experts across Europe and India.
“Our expansion into Tulsa is part of an ambitious vision we have for the US aerospace and defence industries and will be a pivotal step in delivering the skills they need to meet growing demand,” said Will Hague, General Manager of Expleo USA. “By making this move, we will create new, highly skilled jobs in the region and develop expertise across competencies that are critical to engineering in a digital age.”
“Utilisation of resources available at the downtown Tulsa engineering centre is part of Spirit’s strategic growth plan to expand its US footprint and leverage advanced digital engineering services,” said Marcel Anozie, Director, Engineering Strategy at Spirit AeroSystems. “This centre will not only support near-term aircraft programmes but also strategically positions Spirit for the future.”
Younger concluded: “Spirit is an important partner for Expleo globally and we’re proud that we will be breaking new ground together in Tulsa, in addition to the Wichita market.”