American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter, a Business Unit of EADS North America, began its rich
history in Grand Prairie, Texas when two aerospace organizations, Aerospatiale
and LTV Aerospace, formed a helicopter company in 1969, which ultimately became
American Eurocopter. When American Eurocopter explored potential assembly sites
throughout the United States to grow the business, Mississippi was a front
runner on its list.
The Columbus location had immediate potential due to its
proximity to the Columbus Air Force Base; several colleges including Mississippi
State University (MSU), East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), and the
Mississippi College for Women; engineering research facilities at the Thad
Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park in Starkville; and
the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The local community was also important;
American Eurocopter prides itself on its “I AM QUALITY” mentality, not only in
reference to its custom rotary-wing aircraft, but also to its employees.
Starting with a temporary airplane hangar and eight employees in 2003, American
Eurocopter has taken Mississippi by storm, bringing rapid economic growth and
job opportunities to the state. By 2004, it had already expanded to employ 44
workers housed in a new 92,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility. By 2006,
American Eurocopter had secured a 10-year program with the U.S. Army to produce
and deliver nearly 350 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters out of the
Columbus facility. With this new undertaking, American Eurocopter expanded for
the third time in three years with the addition of the Lakota assembly hall,
flight line, paint shop, warehouse, flight operations, and flight test
engineering space totaling over 200,000 added sq. footage. Now in 2009, the
325,000 sq. ft. facility has nearly 250 Mississippi workers, and is continuing
to recruit and expand.
American Eurocopter produces 12 models of rotary-wing
aircraft customized for the specific mission of each individual customer. It has
become the leading provider of helicopters, holding more than half of all
helicopter sales nationally for U.S. civil, law enforcement, military, state and
federal agencies. More than 1,800 Eurocopter aircraft are currently in use in
the public and private sector. Clients include corporate and business entities,
hospitals and emergency medical units, tourism operations, law enforcement and
homeland security agencies (including U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Justice, and the FBI), as well as the U.S. armed
forces. The Coast Guard inventories approximately 105 HH-65 Dolphin search and
rescue aircraft, while the Army currently operates the UH-72A, produced at the
Columbus facility.
Because helicopters are in such high demand during emergency
and crisis situations, American Eurocopter springs into action during a time of
need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, American Eurocopter made its
private aircraft available to government officials needing immediate transport
to the Gulf Coast. It also aided in the rescue efforts bringing civilians to
safety and transporting supplies to regions inaccessible except by air.
In 2008,
American Eurocopter was named Industry of the Year by the North Mississippi
Industrial Development Association. The company has definitely expanded industry
in the region and it also works closely with the local community at all of its
locations on a day-to-day basis.
President and CEO Marc Paganini is an active
member of the Advisory Council for the Bagley College of Engineering at MSU, and
has provided many opportunities that work symbiotically for American Eurocopter
and the university. American Eurocopter works with faculty and students on
research projects and hands-on development of new technology at campus research
centers. It also provides scholarships and cooperative opportunities for area
students extending beyond just the university. It has implemented
electrical/avionics, metal, and mechanics training courses with EMCC and
research opportunities with the College for Women.
Working
closely with students from all over the state in training for these high-paying
technical jobs provides not only an abundance of opportunities for the students
fortunate enough to train with American Eurocopter, but also a pool of skilled
workers in the region to fill job openings as they become available. For more
information on American Eurocopter and its products, visit www.eurocopterusa.com