An Albuquerque manufacturer announced a major expansion last month.
According to a release, Southwest Composite Works Inc., a locally-based compression molding and carbon fiber forging firm, expanded into a 15,000-square-foot facility at 509 General Chennault SE, almost quadrupling its previous footprint "to accommodate growing business demands," according to a February release from the company.
"Our strength is our business culture,” said John Groth, owner and founder of Southwest Composite Works, in a statement. “We’ve got a strong team with over 100 years of combined experience, and everyone is genuinely investing in what they’re making. We’re all about relationships – with our customers, our vendors and our staff.”
The company specializes in advanced carbon fiber components in fields such as sports and recreation, aerospace, research and development and medical, the release says. It has completed 1,700 projects, its website says.
In 2017, Southwest Composite Works announced its entrance into the U.S. cycling industry. HIA Velo, an Arkansas bike designer and manufacturer, signed on as one of the company's clients, reported Bicycle Retailer. The company also worked with Sandia National Laboratories, manufacturing chest panels and other articles used on robots, according to SGB Media.
The company was founded in 1994 and employs 10. The expansion will allow the group to acquire another machine and hire craftspeople, the release says. In May of last year, Groth told Business First in an email that the company was "finalizing a deal on a new building" of the same size and anticipated hiring craftspeople, engineers and office personnel.
"Without manufacturing — America's not working," he wrote.
In New Mexico, manufacturing took a big hit last year during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to limited operations and job losses at some companies due to related restrictions. The manufacturing sector employed about 26,300 in New Mexico as of December, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — about 2,700 less than one year prior.
