Skyeton, Inc. to Launch U.S. Manufacturing Hub in North Carolina
In a significant development for Cumberland County, Skyeton, Inc., a leading manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), is set to create 162 new jobs and invest over $3.1 million in Fayetteville. This initiative marks the company’s inaugural flagship manufacturing operation in the United States.
Governor Josh Stein expressed enthusiasm about the move, emphasizing the state’s strong ties to military and advanced manufacturing industries. “We’re proud to welcome Skyeton to a state with such a proud military tradition and advanced manufacturing base,” said Governor Josh Stein. He highlighted North Carolina’s strategic location on the East Coast and its robust transportation infrastructure as key factors that make it an attractive business destination, particularly for aerospace and defense sectors.
Skyeton, Inc., based in Las Vegas, operates as a subsidiary of Skyeton Holdings, which is renowned globally for producing UAS for defense and commercial use. Notably, Skyeton boasts over 350,000 combat-proven flight hours with its Raybird platform, known for its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The expansion in Fayetteville will focus on utilizing cutting-edge technology across various stages of UAS production, including design, engineering, and testing, within a 28,500-square-foot facility.
CEO Rigoberto (Quito) Sáez of Skyeton, Inc. elaborated on the strategic significance of this expansion, stating, “Expanding our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina is about more than opening a new facility. It’s about strengthening America’s defense industrial base, creating high-quality American jobs, and delivering combat-proven capabilities closer to the warfighters we exist to serve.” He acknowledged the support from state and local officials and emphasized the collaborative effort in building next-generation American unmanned systems.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley remarked on North Carolina’s role as a center for defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. “With investments in research, industry partnerships, and our world-class colleges and universities, we are creating an environment where innovative companies like Skyeton can support our national security, grow their business, and succeed.”
The newly created positions will have an average annual salary of $70,759, surpassing Cumberland County’s average of $49,382. This could result in an annual payroll impact exceeding $1.4 million for the region.
Skyeton’s expansion is supported by a $500,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which assists local governments in attracting economic investment and job creation. This grant is contingent upon Skyeton meeting specific job creation and capital investment criteria, with matching participation from local governments required.
N.C. Senator Val Applewhite highlighted the strategic advantage of this development, noting, “This win for Cumberland County and the entire state validates our reputation for attracting innovative companies.” Moreover, N.C. Representative Frances Jackson commented on Fayetteville’s strategic location near a major military installation, which offers unmatched access to essential resources and networks for growing companies.
The project is a collaborative effort involving several key partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, and other local entities, ensuring a comprehensive support system for Skyeton’s successful establishment in the region.
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