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 After having experienced Chihuahua's highly trained workforce, Hawker Beechcraft Corp. decided to open a new manufacturing facility in the State's capital, which it officially dedicated last week.
The American aircraft manufacturer will be doing sheet metal and electrical assembly at its new 180,000-square-foot plant -its second in the city- under a $20 million investment.
Models supported by the firm's new Chihuahua operation include King Air turboprops and Hawker jets.
"We made the investment in Chihuahua because we saw the quality of the skilled workforce in Chihuahua, and we know they can take this bigger responsibility", said Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture.
With this addition, Hawker Beechcraft will be expanding its Chihuahua City manufacturing footprint to almost 500,000 square feet.
Hawker Beechcraft opened its first facility in Chihuahua in 2007.
Key in Hawker Beechcraft's decision to expand here was Chihuahua's High Technology Training Center, which trains and certifies technicians on machining and sheet metal techniques in close coordination with aerospace companies working in the State.
"They have the ability to do specialized training for aerospace operations", said Boisture. "We have the capacity to build and deliver larger fabricated components that then are shipped to Wichita for final assembly"
Alberto Chretin, State Economy Secretary, noted Chihuahua has developed three core industry areas, including the structural component -under which Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna and Bell Helicopter operate- and the machining component -Honeywell-.
According to State Governor Cesar Duarte, Chihuahua hosts one in four aerospace companies in Mexico.
The Governor said one of the 10 technology colleges planed under his administration will train engineers and technicians especially for the aerospace sector.
The State has 35 aerospace plants employing more than 7,000 workers. Honeywell, Cessna, Labinal, Bell Helicopter and Hawker Beechcraft are some of the leading firms with operations here.
Other global companies who recently announced expansions in Chihuahua are Kaman Aerospace (Chihuahua City), Delphi, Afinia and Cardinal Health (Ciudad Juarez).
Attending the Hawker Beechcraft opening ceremony were Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture, Chihuahua State Governor Cesar Duarte, Chihuahua City Mayor Marco Quezada, State Economy Secretary Alberto Chretin, and plant manager Arturo Avila.
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"We have seen a high level of quality and craftsmanship coming out of the skilled workforce in Chihuahua"
Bill Boisture
Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO
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Get over stereotypes! There is a couple of things you'd want know about the largest state of Mexico
Chihuahua is developing an aerospace cluster. Our universities are training aerospace engineers and technicians right now.
We are developing micro-electromechanical systems at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez. Many national and international companies with operations in the State are potential beneficiaries of our projects. 
The most important archaeological site of Northern Mexico is located in the State of Chihuahua, at Paquimé
In Juarez, just across from El Paso, Texas, there is a museum with original parts of the great supersonic passenger jet