Hardin: GKN sale won't impact plant

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The acquisition of GKN Aerospace in what the British media call "a hostile takeover" is not expected to affect the company's new manufacturing facility at VentureCrossings in West Bay. Becca Hardin, president of the Bay Economic Development Alliance, told the News Herald that the new plant is poised to start making parts this summer. Turnaround specialists Melrose Industries secured an $11 billion takeover of the British engineering firm and defense contractor earlier this week. Hardin said GKN's building near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is open now, with furniture being moved in and the 170 employees in the process of being hired. She said the undisclosed aviation products that will be manufactured there are part of a long-term federal government project. (Source: News Herald, 03/30/18) Previous. Background story in Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, April 2017, "Two projects ensure growth," pages 1-2