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Airbus exec, Ryan visit RTI
Photo
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, left, exchanges a cordial greeting Tuesday with RTI International Metals chief executive Dawne Hickton and Airbus Americas chairman Allan McArtor during a press conference at RTI’s titanium manufacturing facility in Niles. The visit to the Niles plant emphasized the 30-year relationship between the airplane manufacturer and RTI, which supplies components for all Airbus aircraft.
Staff report
NILES
As part of an ongoing effort to promote defense-related development, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, joined officials from the major aircraft manufacturer Airbus here Tuesday to visit one of the company’s local suppliers.
Ryan, accompanied by Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor, paid a visit to RTI International Metals to meet with Chief Executive Dawne Hickton and tour the local titanium- manufacturing operations.
The meeting focused on the 30-year relationship between Airbus Americas and RTI, which manufactures titanium components for Airbus’ commercial and defense aircrafts.
“RTI is a strategic partner on each and every Airbus aircraft,” McArtor said. “I am proud to say this is the second RTI facility in a month that I have visited with a key government official. That’s a great indication of the importance of this business to local American communities and their economies.”
McArtor added that Ohio has the sixth-highest number of Airbus suppliers in the U.S. and is ranked first in Airbus spending in the country.
Tuesday’s talks emphasized the importance of the Niles facility to the Airbus supply chain, Ryan said.
“RTI’s economic impact on our region is substantial,” he said. “By building and maintaining key relationships throughout the industry and investing in research and innovation, RTI is poised to be one of our strongest economic drivers for many years to come.”
The RTI visit comes on the heels of a meeting last week that brought six major defense contractors to the Valley to meet with local companies. Ryan, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, helped spearhead the meeting as part of an effort to link local businesses to the lucrative defense market.