BAE celebrates expansion of Union County, N.C., facility

BAE Systems held a grand opening ceremony December 17 to celebrate the expansion of its Tensylon High-Performance Materials facility in Monroe, N.C. The expanded 48,000-square-foot facility will be used to support production of troop protection products, such as wheeled-vehicle systems, helmets and body armor for military customers.

The 18,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space allows BAE Systems to expand its production of Tensylon materials, which are derived from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene polymer and utilized in a wide variety of applications, including advanced fiber composites in ballistic products.

“We are pleased to expand our operations in Union County and North Carolina. We have a very dedicated workforce and Monroe is a terrific community. We appreciate the support we have received from the State and the County and look forward to contributing to the economic vitality of the region,” said Linda Hudson, president of BAE Systems Land and Armaments.

Attending the opening were North Carolina Lt. Governor Beverley Perdue; Congressman Robin Hayes (R-North Carolina, 8th District); Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-North Carolina, 9th District); and Maurice D. Ewing, president and CEO, Union County Partnership for Progress.

“One economic engine that I think holds tremendous potential for our region is defense,” said Congressman Hayes. “Jobs, economic development and more opportunity in Union County are a constant priority, and this facility is a great victory.”

"BAE Systems’ investment in North Carolina is a reflection of our strong and skilled workforce and our continued success in growing the state's $18 billion military economy,” said Lt. Governor Perdue.

The facility was created in partnership with a $40,000 One North Carolina Fund grant and an economic development grant of up to $86,820 provided by the Union County Board of Commissioners. BAE Systems will invest $7.9 million over the next three years in Monroe.

The expanded capacity will add up to 42 jobs, including positions in engineering and production. BAE Systems Tensylon High Performance Materials, originally known as Integrated Textile Systems, Inc., joined BAE Systems in July 2007 as part of the Armor Holdings acquisition.

Tensylon high-performance fiber or tape can be processed into any number of specialty tailored composites, depending on the application requirements. Many of BAE Systems new and unique solutions for emerging blast and ballistic threats will incorporate Tensylon high-performance materials.

“This is a young technology and our team is proud to be pioneers in the development, manufacturing and marketing of Tensylon for the protection of our many men and women serving in the Armed Forces. We are really excited by the overall value Tensylon products offer in survivability as well as non-armor applications," said Lisa Owen, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Tensylon High-Performance Materials.

Tensylon is demonstrating great promise in a broad range of BAE Systems applications, including tracked and tactical wheeled vehicles, commercial armored vehicles and individual equipment, such as helmets and body armor. Other applications include aerospace, sporting goods, high-performance sails, ropes, cordage and netting. Tensylon proprietary products create a unique combination of ballistic and structural performance, weight and cost savings when compared to other high performance fiber materials, including para-aramids, fiberglass and other ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.