Leonardo Helicopters support center lands in Broussard

(Courtesy Leonardo Helicopters)

Leonardo Helicopters has opened a Gulf of Mexico Support Center in Broussard. 

The company, which has operated in the aerospace industry for more than 100 years, produces military and commercial rotorcraft. The new center will bring regional support to its Americas-based customers.

Leonardo will employ 15 employees in 2019, rising to 30 workers by 2023.

“The team we’re assembling in Broussard has decades of experience working in aviation and rotor blade repair,” says Troy Penny, general manager of the facility. “We’re looking forward to providing the highest quality product and service to our Leonardo customers.”

The Leonardo Helicopters Gulf of Mexico Support Center is a 21,000-square-foot facility that will provide blade repair, spare parts and technical support. More than 700 Leonardo helicopters are in service across the Americas.

Leonardo Helicopters has several service centers worldwide that provide spares and repair and overhaul throughout the product lifecycle. Major manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S., Italy, Poland and the UK.

“Lafayette and Acadiana anchor an aviation industry that has served the energy, training, and emergency services sectors for decades. The establishment of Leonardo Helicopters’ facility will build on the region’s long-standing aviation history,” says Gregg Gothreaux, Lafayette Economic Development Authority President and CEO. “Leonardo will provide quality employment opportunities for our region’s experienced aviation and manufacturing workforce.”