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Beaudet Aviation to Land at Little Rock, Create 75 Jobs

2 min read

Beaudet Aviation, a subsidiary of JCB Aero of Toulouse, France, announced Wednesday that it will invest $2.5 million to open a facility in Little Rock, where it will be a key supplier to Dassault Falcon Jet.

Beaudet said its facility, at 6001 Lindsey Road, will employ 75 people. Executives hope to expand to 150 to 250 employees in five years, adding new shops and perhaps building its own hangar to accommodate wide-body aircraft. 

“In the long run, we would like to create the exact duplication of the company based in France or even bigger: being in America sort of gives you wings and you feel like you are going to fly,” Jean-Claude Beaudet, chairman of JCB Aero, said in a news release. 

“In a few years’ time, Beaudet Aviation would like to offer the widest range in terms of cabins and systems for VIP aircraft and commercial airlines and become completely autonomous, provide total completion in one place and even expand new facilities adjacent to the airport,” he said.

Gov. Mike Beebe, officials from JCB Aero, economic development officials and city leaders announced the move at a news conference at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Scott Hardin, a spokesman for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said the project will receive the Advantage Arkansas payroll tax credit and tax-back incentives on materials and machinery used to build the facility. AEDC has also offered to provide training for new Beaudet employees.

Beaudet will be among the suppliers taking part in the completion of Dassault’s Falcon model jets. Dassault, which is also based in France, is spending $60 million to expand its operations near the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, adding a 250,000-SF hangar for its Falcon 5X twin jet and Falcon 8X tri-jet aircraft.

The expansion, expected to be complete by early 2016, will bring Dassault’s total airport footprint to 1.2 million SF. The company employs about 1,750 workers in Little Rock.

Previously: Mike Beebe and AEDC Director Grant Tennille say a recent European trade mission on aviation will soon pay dividends in Arkansas.

“We’re thrilled that Beaudet Aviation has chosen Little Rock to locate its new facility and create 75 new job opportunities for our citizens,” Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola said. “The success Dassault Falcon Jet has had in Little Rock was a major driver in the decision for this supplier to locate here.”

JCB Aero was founded in 1987 by Jean Claude Beaudet. The company works on aircraft interiors, including cabin reconfiguration, modifications, in-flight entertainment upgrades and cabin refurbishment.


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