Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., is planning to invest $145 million to expand its existing carbon brake manufacturing facility at 11135 W. Westbow Lane, on the West Plains.

The facility will add 50% more square footage to its current space with the addition of three new buildings totaling 75,000 square feet, according to a press release from the company. Collins’ current facility has roughly 135,400 square feet.

Work on the structures is slated to begin in 2021, and Collins expects to create 50 new jobs at the location upon completion.

Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the project. Vancouver, Washington-based Kestrel Engineering Group Inc., which has an office in Spokane, is providing engineering services.

Site plans filed with Spokane County show Collins plans to begin work on an expanded evaporation pond just east of the existing facilities to accommodate increased manufacturing capabilities, as well as a new parking lot, this spring. The company has been issued grading permits for both the pond and parking lot, as well as the future expansion.

The company, formerly UTC Aerospace Systems, was formed in late 2018 when its parent company, United Technologies, completed the acquisition of Rockwell Collins and merged Rockwell with UTC to form Collins Aerospace. 

Collins manufactures brakes, landing gear, and wheels for commercial aircraft. 

As of November 2019, Collins had 240 employees here, according to the Journal’s Largest Spokane County Employers list.

Work on an $80 million expansion is already underway at the company’s carbon brake manufacturing site in Pueblo, Colorado, where the company is adding 40,000 square feet and 50 employees. Work on that expansion is expected to wrap up in 2021. 

Additionally, the aerospace manufacturer opened a new 110,000-square-foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for wheel and brake maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, and landing gear assembly. In total, Collins Aerospace is investing $225 million in facility expansions over the next year.