(MOBILE, Ala.) - Aerospace giant Airbus announced Friday that an Alabama-based company will be put in charge of constructing the $600 million final assembly plant at the Brookley Aeroplex.
According to a press release, Airbus announced that the Birmingham-based Hoar Program Manager will "be responsible for managing all aspects of the design and construction of the facility, including supporting procurement of design and construction service providers and suppliers."
HPM President Mike Lanier told Local 15 News he is humbled that the company was tapped for the job.
"It's very exciting," Lanier said, "and it is the biggest single-project that we have ever done as a company. There are a lot of unique aspects to the building that are nothing like any others we've seen before.
"The very first hire that the company makes is an Alabama-based company with a great history of working throughout the state. It makes a good statement that Airbus is going to be a really good partner with the State of Alabama for a long time."
Lanier said construction on the $600 million plant will begin this summer, and in the months to come, the hiring of 2,500 workers will begin.
"We will begin that process in earnest next week with a request for proposals that will go out to designers," Lanier said.
HPM said they have completed $3.5 billion worth of projects in recent years, working with state, local and international entities. HPM has offices in seven major cities in the southeast including Mobile.
Locally, HPM worked with Mobile Infirmary and is currently working with the City of Mobile on the GulfQuest Maritime Museum.
Once completed, Airbus estimates the Mobile Final Assembly Plant will begin assembly of the A319, A320 and A321 aircraft in 2015. The first deliveries from Mobile will begin in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018.
