High hopes from the helicopters

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Giovanni Castellaneta, the Italian ambassador to the United States, is proud of the work of Finmeccanica.
A leading European aerospace company, the Italian firm has a subsidiary — AgustaWestland Philadelphia, a helicopter manufacturer — that is becoming a leading high-technology, high-paying employer in the United States, and to be more exact, in Northeast Philadelphia.
"Manufacturing facilities play a significant role driving the global economy and creating jobs," Castellaneta said.
Last week, AgustaWestland Philadelphia — formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation — inaugurated a 110,000-square-foot facility where it will assemble 30 mid-size twin-turbine AW139 helicopters every year.
The $32 million project created 150 jobs. The facility includes hangars, assembly areas, manufacturing stations and office and warehouse space.
The AW139, which Agusta first began manufacturing in 2001 at its plant near Milan, seats 15 and is geared toward law enforcement, emergency medical service, executive transport, search and rescue and maritime and offshore oil operations.
Among those that have ordered an AW139 are the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Irish Air Corps, the Japan Coast Guard and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
AgustaWestland is located at 3050 Red Lion Road, around the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. It has had operations in Philadelphia since 1980.
In the early years, the focus was on maintenance of its fleet of commercial helicopters. In 2004, the company built an assembly line for the 2.8-ton single-engine AW119 Koala helicopter. Today, it employs about 500 people and also provides flight training.
Wilfred Muskens, executive director of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Center for Direct Investment, read a letter from Gov. Ed Rendell and brought an oversized check for $400,000 to help the company grow. The money is evenly split between a grant and job creation tax credits.
Mayor Michael Nutter joked that he could have used an Agusta helicopter to avoid the traffic on northbound I-95 on his way to the dedication.
The mayor credited Al Taubenberger, his Republican opponent in last year’s election, for talking about the merits of Agusta on the campaign trail. He thinks the company’s growth is an indication of good things to come for the city.
"Philadelphia is on the way back," he said. "Philadelphia is open for business."
Taubenberger, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, described the Feb. 19 ribbon-cutting ceremony as a celebration for both the company and the city. He’s glad that Nutter seems committed to economic development.
"Job creation is what’s so desperately needed in the city," he said. "These are the jobs you can build families and communities on."
The gala event attracted Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, CEO of Finmeccanica, and Giuseppe Orsi, CEO of AgustaWestland.
Orsi said he wants AgustaWestland to be known as the helicopter manufacturer in the world and Philadelphia to be the helicopter-manufacturing city in the United States.
The company, Orsi said, has made a serious investment in its Philadelphia plant.
"We’ll continue for many decades to come," he said.
The company invited a bevy of politicians, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and U.S. Reps. Patrick Murphy, Allyson Schwartz and Joe Sestak.
Schwartz said it’s a big deal for an international company to expand in Philadelphia.
"That speaks to our highly skilled workforce," she said.
Murphy said AgustaWestland’s law enforcement and military clients want the best equipment so they have the upper hand on criminals and enemy troops. The company’s employees, he added, have been making quality helicopters for years.
"They have a reputation for excellence," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com