2. May 2006

Gulfstream expands in Savannah

Gulfstream Aerospace recently announced plans for a $300 million, 7-year expansion of its manufacturing and service facilities in Savannah, Gorgia. As a result of the expansion, employment at the facility is expected to grow by some 1,100 jobs, a 25 percent increase from the current employment level of 4,300 employees.

First opened in 1967, Gulfstream's Savannah headquarters site includes initial phase manufacturing for the Gulfstream G550, G500, G450 and G350. The site also includes one of the company's five final phase manufacturing facilities and the largest of Gulfstream's 10 service centers.

"In the past four years we've seen strong, steady growth in our industry," Gulfstream President Bryan Moss said. "From 2004 to 2005, we experienced a 12 percent increase in aircraft production

at our Savannah facility and we have every reason to believe that growth will continue. This expansion is necessary to meet the industry's projected increase in demand for new business-jet aircraft and the maintenance that will follow.

"While Gulfstream may be an international company, our roots are deeply embedded in Georgia and Savannah," Moss continued. "We appreciate the assistance and cooperation we have received from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Chatham County and the City of Savannah in supporting our site expansion."

The facilities in 1967 (Photo: Gulfstream)

The company's master plan includes a new 570,000 square-foot service center - more than twice the size of the existing Savannah Service Center. The new service center will be constructed on 76.6 acres at the southwest quadrant of the Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport that will be leased from the Airport Commission. The southwest quadrant site also will include an independent fuel farm and a 42,600 square-foot, state-of-the-art paint hangar.

Gulfstream's existing 209,000 square-foot Savannah Service Center at the company's main site will be converted into a manufacturing facility, and a new 222,000 square-foot manufacturing
building will be constructed directly adjacent to the current service center. Additionally, Gulfstream will construct another new 42,600 square-foot paint hangar at the main site.

The main building, which houses executive offices and numerous support organizations, including its Marketing and Sales departments, will be renovated to include a new Sales and Design Center. Customers visiting the Sales and Design Center will have access to the latest technological tools to assist in selecting their aircraft's floorplan and furnishings. The plan also includes a new 140,000 square-foot engineering building at the northeast end of the main site.

(Photo: Gulfstream)

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