Company Will Increase Manufacturing Footprint by 40% To Serve Growing Demand by Defense, Commercial Aerospace and Space Customers
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Eaton broke ground on an $18.5 million expansion project in Orchard Park, adding 100 new jobs to its existing 450-employee workforce. The construction of a 50,000-square-foot building in Erie County will create new jobs and increase Eaton’s manufacturing footprint by 40 percent to enable increased production capacity to serve growing demand by military, commercial aerospace and space customers. The new space, located in the Krog Industrial Center, will increase the company’s assembly, test, and warehouse space, while also bringing its shipping, receiving, warehouse and stocking functions under one roof.
“New York is committed to helping companies like Eaton invest in Western New York and create quality manufacturing jobs,” Governor Hochul said. “This latest expansion by Eaton will create new, good-paying jobs and is evidence of New York’s extraordinary workforce, thriving manufacturing sector and the role both play in strengthening our economy and national security.”
Eaton’s Aerospace Group Mission Systems Actuation General Manager Mike Nero said, “The expansion in Orchard Park will allow us to keep up with the military’s growing demand on key defense programs. By significantly increasing our production capacity, we can now provide actuation technology currently used exclusively by the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Navy as well. Our investment in Orchard Park will ensure the site can serve defense, space and commercial aerospace customers well into the future.”
Empire State Development is providing up to $2 million to Eaton through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit program to assist with the planned expansion. Erie County Industrial Development Agency approved $434,348 in future property tax savings over ten years and $875,000 in sales tax savings on project-related purchases for this expansion.
In Orchard Park, Eaton manufactures oxygen, actuation and other mission-ready technologies that support commercial aircraft, defense and space customers. The site employs approximately 450 people including manufacturing, support functions and site and division leaders.
The initial construction project is expected to be completed by July 2026, with additional investment in machinery and equipment to follow as the facility ramps up for production.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “ESD is growing New York State’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem thanks to forward-looking companies like Eaton. It will create 100 new jobs in Orchard Park to support the mission-critical technology, which is a huge win for the regional economy. We congratulate Eaton on its success in Western New York.”