Barnes expanding in Ogden

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 20, 2007 | by Catherine Smith Deseret Morning News

Barnes Aerospace plans to grow in Utah, doubling the size of its Ogden facility, the company announced Tuesday.

Barnes said its new, 120,000-square-foot facility will be in the Business Depot Ogden Industrial Park.

"Our decision to stay in Ogden was based on our close proximity to customers and a highly skilled and dedicated work force," said Stephen J. McKelvey, corporate communications specialist with Barnes Group Inc., the parent company of Barnes Aerospace.

The company, which creates and assembles airframe and engine parts, outgrew its current Ogden location, requiring a new facility. The company uses titanium and stainless steel in the creation of its products and is one of the largest producers of these parts in the United States.

Barnes Aerospace manufactures and repairs engines for companies and organizations ranging from Rolls-Royce and Volvo to Lockheed Martin and the U.S. military. It also provides jet engine components and repair services for several major airlines.

In December, Utah offered the company a $10.1 million incentive on the conditions that it move the current facility, add 900 jobs over 20 years and bring in more manufacturing operations.

"No incentives from the state have been accepted," McKelvey said.

The company employs 175 people in Ogden, and more growth may take place in the plant, he said. He declined to comment on how extensive that growth may be.

"Our staffing needs are based on how much the company grows," McKelvey said.

Whether or not the company accepts the state incentive, officials said the expansion will be beneficial for Utah.

"These are really good jobs, and it's a great company," said Michael Nelson, managing director for corporate recruiting and incentives for Utah. "They've been around a long time."

Nelson also said the company is innovative and excels. It provides several types of high-paying jobs, ranging from $36,000 to $51,000 per year.

Groundbreaking for the new facility will occur soon, McKelvey said. The company expects completion in early 2008.

Barnes Aerospace

-- Headquarters: Bristol, Conn.

-- Total employees: 6,600

-- Utah employees: 175 in Ogden

-- Products: Fabrication and assembly of airframe and engine components for commercial and private use

E-mail: csmith@desnews.com