Davids Helps Announce Aviation Manufacturing Facility Expansion in Olathe

OLATHE, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined Honeywell to announce a major investment to expand its Olathe manufacturing facility. The project will contribute $18.3 million to the local economy within the first six years and create more than 350 good-paying jobs in the area. Davids, alongside Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), served as a key negotiator on a law that is reinvigorating American manufacturing.

“Kansas has a rich history of manufacturing, especially in the aviation sector,” said Davids. “Today's announcement is cause for celebration, not just for the significant number of good-paying jobs the expansion will generate, but also for its role in supporting families, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities. I’m excited for what’s to come in our region and congratulate Honeywell on this expansion.”

“Expanding this facility will enable the development of a strong and resilient domestic supply chain for next generation avionics and printed circuit board assemblies that our commercial and military customers can rely on,” said Jim Currier, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “At Honeywell, we are in constant need of highly skilled employees, particularly in engineering and advanced manufacturing, and our decision to expand one of our U.S.-based facilities is a testament to our confidence in the U.S. economy and its talented workforce.”

“The hard-working men and women of Kansas have earned a reputation within the aviation manufacturing community for quality work, and today’s announcement is further evidence of that,” said Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). “Honeywell’s decision to expand its operations in Kansas will help bolster the U.S. domestic industrial base in the aviation sector.”

“Honeywell’s expanded presence in Kansas underscores what we’ve known all along – our state’s workforce is prepared to meet any challenge,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The high-tech jobs and opportunities being created will allow even more of our young workers to find their dream careers right here in Kansas.”

The 560,000-square-foot facility in Olathe currently manufactures components for safety and flight control systems as well as technologies to reduce air traffic collisions and weather accidents. The $84 million expansion announced today is expected to generate nearly $47 million in total gross domestic product (GDP) and support Honeywell’s goals of developing the future of aviation. The construction and installation of new equipment in the facility will create 268 one-year jobs and generate nearly $25 million in GDP.

Davids’ additional work to strengthen domestic manufacturing and boost supply chains include:

• Holding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business' financial security.
• Cosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.
• Meeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.
• Voting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.

Davids previously voted for bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and improve customer protections while flying, increase America’s aviation safety standards, and strengthen domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing. Included in the legislation, which awaits a vote in the Senate, was two Davids-sponsored amendments to improve safety outcomes for aviation companies and modernize control tower/pilot communications – both of which passed with bipartisan support.