Vista Metals to Construct Facility in Kentucky

Vista Metals will construct a new facility in Bowling Green, Ky., to supply specialty aluminum products to the aerospace industry. With nearly a $60 million initial investment, the new site will primarily support downstream processing and value-added products serving the aerospace extrusion, forging and rolling markets.

The new facility is part of Vista's long-range investment plan, which includes the completion of the company's recent aerospace casthouse, its seventh, in Georgia. The company also operates a facility in California.

In addition to supporting commercial aviation, the new location will also support defense, automotive and general industrial applications. Initial site preparation is now under way and Vista Metals will commence a phased build-out to support the growth in its core markets.

“The opening of Vista Metals in Kentucky underscores our commitment to the aerospace industry and our recognition of the importance of delivering robust supply chains,” said Kelly Thomas, president of Vista Metals. “This strategic investment will further support our customers’ growth in aerospace as OEMs look to more than double commercial aircraft build rates over the next two decades. Given the recovery in the markets, and strong long-term growth outlook, our intent is to invest in a manner that will enable customers to test and qualify this facility ahead of the projected growth surge, along with ongoing investments in our people, processes and equipment at our existing facilities.