NIAR and Orizon Aerostructures form strategic alliance to accelerate aerospace and defense manufacturing

Farnborough, England, July 20, 2026

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and Orizon Aerostructures today announced a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating aerospace and defense manufacturing through integrated engineering, research and production capabilities.

The collaboration combines Orizon’s award-winning advanced manufacturing capabilities with NIAR’s world-class expertise in engineering, research, testing, certification and digital transformation. Together, the organizations will support customers in accelerating product development, industrialization, production ramp-up and supply chain readiness.

As demand continues to grow across commercial aerospace, defense and space sectors, the partnership is focused on key industry challenges such as workforce development, production scalability, process optimization, qualification timelines and manufacturing innovation.

“By combining NIAR’s engineering and research capabilities with Orizon’s manufacturing expertise, we enable our customers to move from concept to production faster and with greater confidence,” said Charlie Newell, CEO of Orizon Aerostructures.

The partnership will enable initiatives to improve production readiness, reduce lead times, increase manufacturing throughput and strengthen the nation’s aerospace and defense industrial base.

“Kansas’ role as the Air Capital of the World depends on the strength and resilience of its supplier ecosystem,” said John Tomblin, Wichita State executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “This partnership strategically aligns NIAR’s research and engineering expertise with Orizon’s advanced manufacturing capabilities to strengthen that ecosystem, accelerate innovation and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global aerospace and defense production.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence and advancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. aerospace and defense sector.

“This partnership between NIAR and Orizon Aerostructures strengthens Kansas’ role as the Air Capital of the World and reinforces our state’s global leadership in aerospace and defense,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. “By bringing together world-class research, engineering expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities, this collaboration will create new opportunities for our skilled workforce and bolster the role Kansans play in aerospace and defense innovation and production.”

 

Orizon Press Release LMCO Award 6.16.25

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orizon AeroStructures Contract Award

Orizon Aerostructures LLC, a leading provider of complex machined structures, assemblies and processing, announced today that it has been awarded a multiyear follow-on contract by Lockheed Martin Corporation related to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The contract involves the manufacturing of complex aerostructures, assembly and processing. This award contributes to Orizon’s overall backlog of greater than $3.1 Billion.

Orizon is reshaping the aerostructures industry  by utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies to support high profile aerospace and defense platforms. These core technologies include   AI-powered software, 3D printing and augmented reality. The effective implementation of these advanced technologies drives product quality, removes touch labor and significantly improves turnaround times, enabling Orizon to serve as a trusted partner to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 program and others. Orizon deploys these technologies across the commercial aerospace, defense and space platforms that the company supports.

“The contract underscores Orizon’s growing role as a critical supplier to the defense industrial base and together, with the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with Lockheed Martin on Monday, April 16, reflects a mutual interest in collaborating to explore the expansion of technological and manufacturing capabilities that support U.S. and allied military readiness,” said Charlie Newell, CEO of Orizon Aerostructures.

 

About Orizon Aerostructures

Founded in 2016 and based in the Midwestern United States, Orizon Aerostructures is an organically grown, vertically integrated, aerospace technology company manufacturing the largest, most complex structural components in the commercial aerospace, defense, and space markets. With a quality-first culture, Orizon combines decades of expertise, disruptive technologies, and state-of-the-art equipment to tackle the toughest challenges in aerospace. Orizon has been recognized for its quality record and has been presented with multiple awards for innovation, transparency, partnership and overall operating performance. As one of the most advanced manufacturing companies serving the broader aerospace and defense market, Orizon is “Building Something Unique.” More information can be found on the company’s website: www.orizonaero.com

For media inquiries, please contact  dmarriott@orizonaero.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orizon Aerostructures Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Lockheed Martin

 

Orizon Official Press release Collaboration LH 6.16.25

PARIS, June 16, 2025 – Orizon Aerostructures, LLC and Lockheed Martin signed a Collaboration Agreement at The Paris Air Show to explore innovative solutions in advanced manufacturing and design. This collaboration aims to enhance quality, affordability, and innovation across multiple domains.

The Collaboration Agreement establishes a strategic framework for “expanding a number of successful program collaborations and forming a cross-program strategic relationship…Orizon is an innovative technology leader in manufacturing aerospace structural parts…and the parties wish to try new concepts in designing, planning and manufacturing (…).”

“This agreement expands the relationship between Orizon and Lockheed Martin,” said Charlie Newell, CEO of Orizon Aerostructures. “We see this as an opportunity to bring forward our innovative technologies to jointly solve complex challenges in support of today’s warfighters and tomorrow’s mission requirements.”

 

About Orizon Aerostructures
Founded in 2016, Orizon Aerostructures is an organically grown, vertically integrated, aerospace technology company manufacturing the largest, most complex structural components in the commercial aerospace, defense, and space markets. With a quality-first culture, Orizon combines decades of expertise, disruptive technologies, and state-of-the-art equipment to tackle the toughest challenges in aerospace. Orizon has been recognized for its quality record and has been presented with multiple awards for innovation, transparency, partnership, and overall operating performance. As one of the most advanced manufacturing companies serving the broader aerospace and defense market, Orizon is “Building Something Unique.” More information can be found on the company’s website: www.orizonaero.com

 

For media inquiries, please contact  dmarriott@orizonaero.com

End of Release 

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2025/05/05/manufacturing-resurge-powerful-boost-regions.html 

Orizon President Henry Newell participated in a prominent manufacturing panel discussion hosted by the Kansas City Business Journal and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank on May 5, 2025. The event focused on the powerful economic impact of manufacturing and featured insights from leading industry executives.

During the discussion, Newell highlighted Orizon’s remarkable success story at our Chanute, Kansas facility as a prime example of manufacturing’s multiplier effect on regional economies. Since opening in 2016 with 30 employees and a starting wage of $13 per hour, the facility has grown to employ nearly 500 people with starting wages approaching $22 per hour. This growth contributed to reducing local unemployment from 7.6 percent to less than 3 percent.

Key highlights from Newell’s presentation:

• Economic Impact: Our Chanute facility demonstrates the powerful multiplier effect of manufacturing, purchasing components from hundreds of suppliers and creating significant regional economic benefits

• Technology Leadership: Orizon’s investment in cutting-edge automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality technologies to maximize efficiency and enable continuous production

• Workforce Development: Partnership with Neosho County Community College featuring an Orizon-branded training room for aerospace and defense mechanics1

The panel discussion emphasized manufacturing’s critical role in economic growth, with each manufacturing job generating five to seven additional jobs in the economy and every manufacturing dollar creating approximately $3 in GDP.

This recognition underscores Orizon’s position as a leader in aerospace manufacturing and our commitment to driving economic growth in the communities where we operate.

2025-03-18_Kevin Michaels – Demise Of Commercial Aerostructures_K Michaels_AeroDynamic Advisory (003)

Orizon Aerostructures was included in a presentation by Dr. Kevin Michaels, Managing Director of AeroDynamic Advisory, at The Aerospace Event in Beverly Hills on March 18, 2025. Dr. Michaels, a globally recognized expert in aerospace manufacturing and winner of the 2019 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award, referenced our company during his comprehensive analysis titled “The Demise of Commercial Aerostructures”.

The presentation was delivered to an exclusive gathering of aerospace industry executives, suppliers, and stakeholders at this premier industry conference1. Dr. Michaels has over 37 years of professional experience and has completed more than 600 consulting engagements for leading aviation and aerospace companies worldwide.

This recognition highlights our company’s relevance and standing within the evolving aerospace supply chain landscape as discussed by one of the industry’s most respected thought leaders.

Orizon Press Release Alan Young COO May 1 2025

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orizon Aerostructures Appoints Alan Young as Chief Operating Officer

 

Kansas City, MO – April 29, 2025 – Orizon Aerostructures today announced the appointment of Alan Young as Chief Operating Officer, effective May 12, 2025. Mr. Young joins Orizon with nearly 40 years of aerospace manufacturing and supply chain leadership experience, including senior roles at Spirit AeroSystems,  Bombardier-Learjet and Vought. Throughout his career, Alan has led large-scale manufacturing operations, managed global supply chains, and driven continuous improvement initiatives across major aerospace organizations. In his final role at Spirit AeroSystems, Alan served as Senior Vice President, Fabrication, and Chief Procurement Officer.

In his new role at Orizon, Mr. Young will lead operational excellence initiatives across all Orizon facilities, focusing on production efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery. His leadership and extensive experience will be invaluable as Orizon ramps its operations to meet the rapid growth in demand from the company’s customers across the commercial aerospace, defense, and space sectors.

“Alan’s extensive aerospace manufacturing expertise and proven leadership is perfectly aligned with our Quality First culture and company objective of ‘Always deliver a quality product on time’”, said Charlie Newell, CEO of Orizon Aerostructures.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Orizon Aerostructures Corporate Communications
1200 Main Street, Suite 4000
Kansas City, MO 64105

dmarriott@orizonaero.com

 

About Orizon Aerostructures:

Founded in 2016, Orizon Aerostructures is an organically grown, vertically integrated, aerospace technology company. Orizon manufacturers some of the largest, most complex structural components serving customers across the commercial aerospace, defense, and space markets. The Company has invested in a quality-first culture, advanced technologies, state-of-the-art equipment and unique personnel.  Orizon has been recognized for its quality record and has been presented with multiple awards for innovation, transparency, partnership and overall operating performance. As one of the most advanced manufacturing companies serving the broader aerospace and defense market, Orizon is “Building Something Unique.”

More information can be found on the company’s website:  www.orizonaero.com

End of Release

 

2023 Ahead of Ready Award F-35 – Orizon Aerostructures

 

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is pleased to announce Orizon Aerostructures (Duns #080939378) as the winner of the F-35 Ahead of Ready Award for 2023. We want to thank you and your employees for showing continued commitment ensuring those we serve always stay ahead of ready.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance combat, air mobility, and reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, relies heavily on our supply base to provide key components required to meet our customer’s needs. You are an essential part of the team who helps ensure our customers know that at Lockheed Martin, Our Brand Means Quality. Your workmanship and support beyond the call of duty to help Aeronautics and our customers to stay ahead of threats is recognized and greatly appreciated. We look forward to continuing our relationship with you in the future.

To celebrate this milestone and as a token of our appreciation, we would like to commemorate your achievement with a banner and certificate that will be shipped to your facility.

Thank you again for your partnership and your commitment to excellence.

Watch the panel discussion from the 2023 A&D Supply Chain conference featuring Charlie Newell, ( CEO of Orizon)  and Matthew Godinez (Director of Performance & Programming for the state of KS )  with Michael Bruno ( Executive Editor for Business for Aviation Weekly) as the Moderator.

https://orizonaero.wistia.com/medias/pjgy16n2g4

 

WATCH VIDEO – https://orizonaero.wistia.com/medias/c2vkuc087f

CTE is career and technical education. The misconception is that it is just vocational, and it’s not. It’s career, which fits every student. Twenty nine years ago, when I started, the mindset was every student goes to college. When I started talking to students about  there’s good money in trades programs, there was definitely a stigma there. And it wasn’t just the students. It was a lot of time from the parents.  WATCH VIDEO LINK ABOVE

 

 

 

Henry Newell, President, and Charlie Newell, CEO, have been working together since 1996. The earlier days of the brothers’ professional

venture together saw them acquiring a number of businesses across different sectors, however they found a life-long passion in

the very first sector into which they dove. “The first company we purchased was in aerospace,” opens Charlie, “and regardless of the other industries we’ve been involved in, aerospace has always been our favorite. Our goal was to build something unique, for us that meant “a vertically integrated aerospace company,” and Orizon has taken many steps to achieve that objective.

“Indeed,” adds Henry. “Historically, between the tier 1.5 to tier two space, there’s never been a large integrated aerospace company that’s been built organically. So, although we did start with two small acquisitions,

We  have been working to fulfill this vision since 2016, and since then have greenfield over 650,000 square feet and grown our team to over 850 employees. The best part is, everything’s been organic, starting with assembling the most talented team in the industry, developing expertise in machining the most complex monolithic parts in aerospace, processing them in our own chemical plant with proprietary technology, and then putting them together into large complex assemblies.”

In doing so, Orizon is differentiated from the other 19,000 machine shops across

the US. As a result of climbing up the bill of materials (BOM) in such a way, and taking on larger assemblies, the organization has a far smaller pool of competitors to contend with…   READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE  Orizon MOD2- Building something Unique July 2023 Manufacturing today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At present, the business has three machine shops in Olathe, Kansas, St. Louis, MO,

and Grove, OK. These each feed into its chemical processing plant in Chanute, Kansas, which is accompanied by two assembly-only facilities as well.

“Our entire site in Chanute has been organically built, a true greenfield project,”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry states. “We are unaware of another newer or more technology-driven aluminum processing plant than Orizon’s 105,000-square-foot facility in Chanute.

It’s responsible for anodizing, penetrant inspection, painting and inspecting all parts, before they’re sent next door to our 200,000-square-foot dedicated assembly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

facility. With tanks that are 30 feet long, 12 feet deep and three feet wide, this is where we process the most complex monolithic aluminum machine parts. They are ones that the industry relies on, which require a range of chemical treatments. We have prepared a bed/pit for future hard metals processing and are just one contract away from installation.”