Austria’s F/LIST chooses Colorado Springs for its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operations

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – F/LIST, a global manufacturer of high-end aircraft interiors, and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC announced today that the Austrian-based company will establish its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operations in Colorado Springs.

“We chose Colorado Springs as the location for the headquarters of our U.S. subsidiary due to our proximity to our customers. The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC have been extremely helpful and supportive in our efforts to identify and establish the perfect location for our expansion efforts in the USA,” says Michael Groiss, chief financial officer of F/LIST.

F/LIST develops and produces cabin interiors for business and private jets, and has delivered more than 1,300 interiors for manufacturers such as Bombardier, Embraer and Pilatus. Their portfolio work includes cabinets, avionic panels, partitions for cockpits, aft lavatory and baggage bulkhead, hard floorings and more.

F/LIST will expand its international operations to Colorado Springs in two phases.

• The first phase has begun, with F/LIST finalizing its lease of a 10,500 square-foot facility at 2340 Executive Circle. The company’s products will be assembled and finished at this new production site. F/LIST will invest $2 million into its new facility and will create 60 jobs in its first five years.
• Phase II, which will occur within the next two to three years, will create 15 additional jobs and mark the formal establishment of its U.S. headquarters.

“We’re delighted to welcome F/LIST to Colorado Springs and support their global growth,” said Tammy Fields, chief economic development officer for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “Strategically, we identified aviation manufacturing as a target industry for our region. F/LIST’s decision to choose Colorado Springs solidifies that focus and further establishes our city as a choice location for the industry.”

Fields added that manufacturing continues to be an area of opportunity for Colorado Springs, with attraction and expansion project interests at their highest peak in the last 15 years.

The Chamber & EDC worked with F/LIST for approximately three years to help identify an appropriate facility, meet infrastructure needs, and secure incentives. In January of this year, the Colorado Economic Development Commission voted to provide F/LIST $706,267 in job-growth tax incentives over eight years.

“The State of Colorado is thrilled to have F/LIST join our vibrant business community,” said Michelle Hadwiger, director of global development for Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “Colorado’s high connectivity to Europe, efficient access to the U.S. market, and our low cost of doing business offer the ideal environment for F/LIST’s production facility and subsequent U.S. headquarters.”

Manufacturing represents an important component of the Colorado Springs economy. Businesses are leveraging connections to the region’s Department of Defense agencies, the Colorado Springs Airport, and centralized interstate highway access. A growing base of skilled production workers, labor training incentives, and low-cost utilities also benefit the region’s strong manufacturing base.

ABOUT F/LIST
F. LIST GMBH, from Thomasberg, Lower Austria, is a globally active manufacturer of high-class interior for business and private jets, yachts, and residences with close to 800 employees. Passion, reliability, and visionary spirit determine every step of this Austrian family business.

ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS CHAMBER & EDC
Serving as the area’s largest chamber of commerce and economic development organization, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC works to build and maintain a superior business climate in which companies of all kinds can thrive, and supports current and future local business to fuel a diverse economy and high quality of life.