MESA, AZ — Belgium-based aircraft recycling/up-cycling service Aerocircular announced today it’s expanding its operations in North America with a new facility at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona. The company is expected to create more than 130 jobs over five years in this fully autonomous maintenance, repair and overhaul facility that will serve the continental market.

Aerocircular provides green, economical end-of-life aircraft recycling/up-cycling services. The company has created a niche market that salvages parts for reuse in aircraft; repurposes parts for other uses outside the aviation industry; or breaks down materials altogether, resulting in high-quality raw materials, like composite or aluminum to be used in entirely new products.

“For us, an airplane is like a box of materials. We are targeting airplanes between the age of 15 and 20 years old, because they have many pieces that are still very valuable to aviation, for example, engines or landing gear,” said Koen Staut, CEO of Aerocircular. “The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is an ideal location for our operation. Planes can fly right up to our facility, and the infrastructure is there to support the transport of parts to the marketplace.”

“I am proud to announce that Aerocircular will be bringing 137 jobs to our state — furthering our state as a leader in aerospace and defense,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “With over $3.6 million in investment related to this expansion, this deal represents a significant addition to our state and Arizona welcomes Aerocircular.”

This will be Aerocircular’s first and only operation in North America. The company plans to hire 35 employees this year in management, certifying staff and non-skilled labor positions.

“Arizona is a leader in the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector and provides the top talent, history of expertise and excellent infrastructure that Aerocircular was seeking,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We thank Aerocircular for their investment in our state, and look forward to supporting their continued success!”

“We are proud that Aerocircular has chosen Mesa for their first location in North America,” Mayor John Giles said. “Their aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operation is a perfect fit for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and we look forward to welcoming more than 130 jobs to southeast Mesa.”

Aerocircular will occupy hangar space at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to allow for the disassembly and dismantling of three 737s at one time, with two planes in the hangar, and one on the apron. The turnaround time for completion of one aircraft is three weeks or less.

“We are very fortunate to be working in collaboration with the City of Mesa and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority to deliver the first private hangar development at the airport in almost ten years,” said David Wetta, founder and owner of developer Wetta Ventures, LLC. “The 45,000-square foot MRO will be custom-designed for Aerocircular. This development has so many exciting aspects; aviation, sustainability, and technology.” Currently, Aerocircular’s focus is on jetliners, but the company is also beginning to enter the market for recycling/up-cycling of military planes.

"Greater Phoenix has a long history with the aerospace industry and it’s exciting to welcome Aerocircular, a Belgian aircraft upcycling business to the market,” says Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “Their innovative business model is in great company in Mesa and the location at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport puts them alongside many other exciting ventures."

More than 55,000 people work in Arizona’s 563 aerospace and defense establishments, including 140 FAA-certified MRO operations. Arizona MRO operations have the third-highest total economic impact in the nation of over $4 billion, behind only California and Washington.

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Media Contact:

Kim Lofgreen,

City of Mesa

Kim.Lofgreen@MesaAZ.gov

Connie Weber,

Arizona Commerce Authority

conniew@azcommerce.com

Colleen Schwab,

GPEC

cschwab@gpec.org

About the City of Mesa

With a population of nearly 500,000, Mesa, Arizona is the 36th largest city in the United States and second largest in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Mesa encompasses 138 square miles inside a 21-city region that has a population of 4.3 million people, and is projected to grow to 6.0 million by 2030. Mesa is a vibrant city and a premier location for business development opportunities. Serving industry leaders such as Apple, Banner Health, Boeing, Bridgestone, Empire Southwest, MD Helicopters, Nammo Talley, Ulthera and more, Mesa is a smart location for intelligent companies. www.mesaaz.gov/economic

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit www.azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.

About the Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Established in 1989, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) actively works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix. As the regional economic development organization, GPEC works with 22-member communities, Maricopa County and more than 150 private investors to accomplish its mission, and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate. GPEC’s business development team provides confidential, expert support to companies as they plan their expansion and relocation strategies, including labor and economic impact data and analytics, streamlined real estate searches, and connectivity to decision makers. Consistently ranked as a top national economic development organization, GPEC’s approach to connectivity extends beyond the fabric of the community. Known as The Connected Place, Greater Phoenix is in a relentless pursuit of innovative and entrepreneurial technology-focused companies that are committed to changing the game. For more information about GPEC, visit www.gpec.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.