-- Company Signs Long-Term Lease for First Phase of Chandler
Expansion Plan That Would Support a 50% Growth in Employment During the
Next Decade --
-- Fast-Growing Space Technology Company Also Renewing Lease on
Current Facility for Another 11 Years --
Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB), one of the world’s
leading space technology companies, today announced a major long-term
commitment to the City of Chandler by unveiling its plans for an
expansion of its launch vehicle research and development, engineering,
manufacturing and testing facilities under a “build-to-suit”
agreement with Gilbane Development Company on land adjacent to its
current location on South Price Road. Orbital is also renewing the lease
on its current facility for another 11 years with W.P. Carey & Co.,
ensuring that the company will remain an anchor corporate tenant of the
Ocotillo-area of Chandler for at least the next decade.
“Since Orbital first established a presence in
Chandler 20 years ago when we acquired a small company called Space
Data, we have been the beneficiary of a very business-friendly
environment,” said Mr. David W. Thompson,
Orbital’s Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. “We are most appreciative of the City’s
responsiveness to our development proposals for this project. In turn,
we are very pleased to continue to grow in the area, adding to the
dynamic local business environment and generating significant economic
benefits for the community with high-tech and high-skill jobs.”
Orbital currently occupies approximately 355,000 square feet at its
current location, which is located on South Price Road, between Dobson
Road and Queen Creek Road. This facility will be expanded by
approximately 13,000 square feet and will undergo various upgrades to
suit Orbital’s operational needs. In addition
to the South Price Road location, Orbital currently leases another
172,500 square feet in the Chandler area.
In anticipation of continued growth in its launch vehicles business,
Orbital unveiled its plans to soon break ground on all-new facilities on
land adjacent to the company’s main Chandler
plant. The new “build-to-suit”
campus expansion will be developed by Gilbane Development Company on
land adjacent to Orbital’s main location. The
first phase of the development will include a new 82,000 square foot
building that Orbital will lease to house approximately 330 employees.
Ultimately, the expansion will comprise up to 232,000 square feet in
three new buildings. Together with the company’s
current location, the new development will create a campus of
approximately 600,000 square feet that will be capable of accommodating
nearly 2,200 employees. Orbital currently employs approximately 1,300
full- and part-time employees, plus another 150 on-site contractors, at
its Chandler operations.
Speaking on behalf of the City of Chandler, Mayor Boyd Dunn, said, “This
expansion by Orbital is great news for the community on a number of
levels. We continue to achieve our goal of a diversified employment
base, while setting an example that while the economy may be facing
uncertain times, Chandler is a place that can and will provide an
excellent opportunity for long-term growth. Orbital has long been a
wonderful corporate neighbor, and we look forward to seeing that
relationship continue for many years to come.”
Orbital’s expansion in Chandler is being
fueled by the continued strong demand for the company’s
launch vehicle products that are used primarily by the U.S. government
to deploy and test critical missile defense systems, and to launch
scientific and national security satellites. Orbital is also developing
a new rocket, Taurus II, which will be capable of carrying out cargo
transportation missions to the International Space Station and boosting
commercial satellites into orbit.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and
space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers.
The company’s primary products are satellites
and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth
orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing,
scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for
Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets
that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are
used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite
subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies
and laboratories.
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com
