RTI International Metals, Inc. has opened a new, US$135 million, forging, grinding and hot rolling manufacturing facility in Martinsville, VA. Much of the factory’s titanium output will be used to produce the company’s passenger jets.
The startup of commercial titanium production at Martinsville follows more than 10 months of certification testing to meet Airbus’s stringent initial qualification requirements. It is an important milestone for RTI and represents continued strengthening of the business connection between RTI and Airbus, one of the world’s largest commercial aircraft manufacturers.
“The Martinsville plant is a key new addition to RTI’s ability to meet the expanding titanium needs of Airbus,” said Vice Chair, President and CEO of RTI, Dawne Hickton. ”RTI is the largest North American titanium supplier to Airbus and its parent company, EADS, and this new facility adds an additional link in RTI’s ability to meet their needs across the entire supply chain.”
At full capacity, the forging facility can produce up to 14 million pounds of product per year. The RTI plant adds more than 25 manufacturing jobs to the local economy of Martinsville, Henry County and surrounding communities. Further qualifications for the grinding and rolling mill processes will take place in the future. When qualifications are finished, RTI expects the facility to deliver titanium for use in all EADS and Airbus programs.
“EADS, Airbus and RTI’s long-term partnership was expanded with the construction of the Martinsville facility,” said Material Procurement Senior Vice President for EADS and Airbus, Eric Zanin. “This new plant offers us greater material support due to RTI’s increased capacity to produce titanium raw material not only for our A350 XWB aircraft, but to an extended number of EADS and Airbus supply chain partners.”