Manufacturing plays a major role in our economy and is the foundation of Bell. As the fifth-largest employer in America, the manufacturing industry is vital to our country’s success. So, what exactly does it entail? According to investopia.com, manufacturing is the process of raw materials or parts into finished goods through use of tools, human labor, machinery and chemical processing. At Bell, it means producing the components, aircraft features and ultimately the vertical lift products that save lives, support our warfighters, thrill our customers and deliver thrilling experiences across the globe.   

Here at Bell, more than half of our employees directly perform manufacturing-related jobs every day! Because manufacturing is such a growing industry and becoming more technologically advanced than ever, we’ll soon open our Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC), designed to solve the biggest rotorcraft manufacturing challenges: cost, schedule and quality. This new center will pave the way for rapid prototyping of innovative aircraft and the seamless development of our Future Vertical Lift (FVL) products.

Take a look at what Glenn Isbell, vice president of Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Innovation, has to say about the future of manufacturing at Bell:

Throughout 2020, our manufacturing teams have done a phenomenal job during these continuously changing times. When the pandemic hit, our Engineering and Chemical Labs team decided to take matters into their own hands to help. Working with the Environmental Health and Safety team, they followed the World Health Organization’s formula and produced sanitizer while the EHS team procured material and organized distribution.

Our teams have adapted to pandemic challenges and kept Bell operating as an essential business. Their efforts resulted in continued high productivity and success throughout the year. None of this would be possible if it were not for the commitment and dedication of our great manufacturing employees.  Thank you for all the work you do and Happy Manufacturing Day!