Pratt & Whitney to Invest $200M in Columbus Forge, Boost Output 30%
Pratt & Whitney is investing $200 million to install a seventh isothermal forging press at its Columbus, Georgia facility, boosting production of compressor and turbine disks by 30% for GTF, F135 and other engine programs. The new press is slated to begin operations in 2028.
1. Investment Details
Pratt & Whitney is allocating $200 million to add a seventh isothermal forging press at its Columbus Forge facility in Georgia. This press is expected to increase output of critical compressor and turbine disks by 30% and is scheduled to be operational in 2028.
2. Impact on Engine Programs
The expanded forging capacity will support key commercial and military engines, including the GTF series for single-aisle aircraft and the F135 engine powering the F-35 Lightning II. Higher disk production aims to meet growing demand across more than 90 GTF customers and 20 F135 allied nations.
3. Previous Columbus Campus Expansion
This investment follows a $70 million, 81,000-square-foot MRO expansion at the Columbus Engine Center, which increased annual overhaul capacity by over 25%. That expansion aligned with the company’s Industry 4.0 strategy to handle rising maintenance volume for Airbus A320neo, A220, Embraer E-Jets and military engines.
4. Strategic Commitment and Workforce
Since 2008, more than $1 billion has been invested in the Columbus site, which now employs over 2,600 people. The latest capex underscores the company’s long-term commitment to ramp industrial capacity and support both commercial growth and defense contracts.