Woodward to shutter, sell California plant

FORT COLLINS — Woodward Inc. (Nasdaq: WWD), a Fort Collins-based manufacturer of energy-control solutions, announced Monday its plans to transition production out of its Santa Clarita, California, facility to streamline its portfolio and refine its manufacturing footprint.

Production of military fixed-wing and rotorcraft flight control actuation will move to Woodward’s aerospace manufacturing campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which is in the advanced stages of construction.

Separately, Woodward has agreed to sell a smaller group of legacy commercial rotorcraft, land systems and business jet products made in Santa Clarita, along with the campus itself, in a transaction expected to close in fiscal year 2027.

“We don’t make decisions like this without recognizing what they mean for the people affected. Our team in Santa Clarita has contributed to Woodward for 17 years, and we are committed to supporting them through the transition with respect,” Shawn McLevige, president of Woodward’s aerospace segment, said in a prepared statement. “This decision is in line with our strategy to continue creating value for our company and our shareholders through growth, operational excellence, and innovation. Moving this production to Spartanburg will help refine our manufacturing footprint to best support our customers and improve our supply chain as we meet increasing demand for industry-leading controls on current and next-generation commercial and military aircraft.” 

Woodward is expected to cease operations at the Santa Clarita facility no later than December 2027. The decision is expected to affect about 400 roles at the facility, with phased transitions through the planned move. The Spartanburg facility is expected to go online in the summer of 2027 and, as previously announced, will produce Airbus A350 spoiler actuation systems, in addition to the transferred product lines and other aerospace components.

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