The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Douglas Equipment, based in Cheltenham, England, has located its first United States facility in Douglasville. Douglas Equipment is one of the world's leading suppliers of aviation towing tractors for commercial and military aircraft, ground support vehicles, port tractors and distribution yard shunting tractors.
The Douglasville location will facilitate the company's international sales, parts storage and tugmaster maintenance functions. The operation will also design and manufacture a wide range of military handling options for helicopter and fighter aircraft used in naval- and ground-based operations for the United States and export markets around the world. The project represents an initial new investment of $200,000, and will create 15 new jobs.
"The decision to open the Atlanta plant is an extension of Douglas' absolute commitment to this level of customer service in the United States civil aviation market, and reinforces the confidence that the United States military has shown in our product technology and support," said Douglas Equipment Managing Director Lee Brewis.
"The Atlanta area is a good match for Douglas Equipment because of the talent base and the easy access to all U.S. markets. It was great being part of the State of Georgia team that helped bring Douglas Equipment here," said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "Douglas is a quality manufacturer with tremendous potential for growth in the U.S. market."
"Thanks to the hard work and cooperation between our London-based office and our staff here in Georgia, as well as our community partners, Georgia is pleased to welcome Douglas Equipment," said Commissioner Craig Lesser of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "More and more international companies are selecting Georgia as the place to locate their United States operations. Georgia's Aerospace Innovation Center and our state's position as home to the world's busiest passenger airport make us a prime location for aerospace companies like Douglas to thrive."
Douglas Equipment International is a subsidiary of Douglas Equipment Ltd. A U.K.-based manufacturing and engineering company, Douglas Equipment Ltd. has 60 years of experience designing and producing heavy duty and specialist vehicles for the marine, aviation and military applications. Douglas is recognized around the world as a market leader in sales of aircraft tugs of up to and including an aircraft capacity of 600 tons, such as the new Airbus A380.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
