Beehive Industries Invests $70 Million in Ohio Additive Manufacturing Expansion
Beehive Industries, a U.S. manufacturer of 3D printed jet engines for defense applications, is investing $70 million to expand its operations in Southwest Ohio, creating over 200 new jobs.
Beehive Industries has announced a significant $70 million investment to expand its operations in Southwest Ohio, following recent acquisitions of machine tool shops and substantial additive manufacturing hardware orders. This expansion aims to bolster the company's production capabilities for its 3D printed jet engines designed for uncrewed aerial defense applications.
The U.S. manufacturer unveiled the expansion plans at the Farnborough International Airshow, highlighting its commitment to leveraging the region's skilled workforce. The company intends to integrate its advanced additive manufacturing technology with the existing technical expertise in precision manufacturing and aerospace heritage present in Southwest Ohio. This strategic move is designed to create a sustainable growth model that supports both Beehive's mission and the local economy.
Beehive's 'Frenzy' engine is entering full-rate production, with an annual target of over 8,000 units. To support this goal, the company recently ordered 30 EOS M4 ONYX additive manufacturing systems, reportedly the largest single purchase of EOS metal printers to date, and two NXG 600E systems from Nikon SLM Solutions. Additionally, Beehive acquired assets from Able Tool Corporation and its subsidiary Planet Products Corporation to ensure immediate, production-ready machining capabilities.
The company views its growth in Ohio as a scalable blueprint for meeting urgent defense demands. The expansion is projected to generate more than 200 new jobs and will benefit from Ohio's 'Team Ohio' economic development model, which focuses on streamlining processes and accelerating the delivery of construction-ready sites for defense production.
This substantial investment by Beehive Industries underscores the growing adoption of additive manufacturing for critical defense components, specifically jet engines. The expansion, coupled with significant hardware acquisitions and integration of machining capabilities, signifies a move towards scaled, high-volume production of complex aerospace parts. This development aligns with the broader industry trend of utilizing AM for enhanced performance, reduced lead times, and localized manufacturing, crucial for meeting defense sector demands.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.