Duncan Company Heads to Paris Air Show

June 17, 2019

By Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner

A delegation, led by Oklahoma ACES, is representing Okahoma at the Paris Air Show one of the largest and longest-running aerospace trade shows in the world. They will meet with top aerospace companies to help further Oklahoma growth.

Representatives from a Duncan company are participating in the 2019 Paris Air Show as part of the U.S. Delegation from Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s foreign direct investment team announced the state would participate at the 53rd international Paris Air Show from June 17-23. Those from Oklahoma attending the air show include big names like Gov. Kevin Stitt and U.S. Sen. James Inhofe as well as local business Duncan Machine Products.

Gov. Stitt said participating in the Paris Air Show is imperative when it comes to attracting more aerospace companies to Oklahoma. Attending the show has happened for Oklahoma since 2015.

“Aerospace and defense is our fastest growing industry,” said Stitt. “I am looking forward to taking Oklahoma to the world at the Paris Air Show and letting global aerospace leaders know that our state is open for business.”

Since attendance began, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, according to Stitt, has assisted with business announcements from aerospace companies bringing more than 7,000 jobs and more than $700,000,000 in planned capital investment.

“These international air shows are the only place where I can meet with CEOs of all major U.S. and foreign aerospace companies in one place, over three days,” Stitt said.

Reports obtained through follow up after the 2017 Paris Air Show indicated “more than $3.1 million in future sales due to new business from the five Oklahoma companies” which worked with the Department of Commerce. In 2018, the three companies attending Farnborough Air Show reported almost $18 million in future sales from new contracts.

Previous impacts of the Paris Air Show and Farnborough International Air Show showed through recruitment of companies like Kratos, ASCO Aerospace and Cobham.

Kratos, which located in Oklahoma City, looks to employ 350 workers while ASCO Aerospace located to Stillwater and invested $60 million and employed 250 workers. Cobham, which headed to Tinker Air Force Base, has a plan now to invest $20,000,000 and employ about 20.

The air shows are also responsible for expansions of existing companies in Oklahoma, like L-3, FlightSafety, Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Triump and NORDAM.

Others included in the entourage are Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development Sean Kouplen; Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation Kayse Shrum; Sen. Adam Pugh; Rep. Scott Fetgatter; Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum; and Oklahoma Department of Commerce Executive Director Brent Kisling. Oklahoma companies attending with Duncan Machine Product include Consolidated Turbine Specialists, Ferra Aerospace, MST Manufacturing, Vantage Plane Plastics and WHI.

Kisling believes participating in the Paris Air Show provides opportunities for companies in Oklahoma.

“By leading this delegation, Commerce helps Oklahoma companies attend the show who, without our support, would not be able to due to its cost,” Kisling said. “Through trade shows like this, we are opening doors for Oklahoma companies and helping them expand their trade potential.”

Duncan Machine Products, which focuses on precision machining and engineering, gun drilling and turbine engine components, is located at 1003 S. 2nd St. For more information, visit www.duncanmachineproducts.com or https://www.kallman.com/parisairshow/exhibitors.