Alcoa broke ground on a state-of-the-art, $100 million aerospace expansion in La Porte, Ind. The 320,000-square-foot facility will produce nickel-based superalloy jet engine parts and expand Alcoa’s reach from structural engine components for business and regional jets to large commercial aircraft, including narrow- and wide-body and military airplanes. It also will enable Alcoa to produce parts nearly 60% larger than components it currently makes. Construction is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2015. The expansion project will create approximately 329 jobs by 2019.

The facility will use the latest in high-tech advanced manufacturing equipment, including digital X-ray for real-time quality assurance, 3D printing of prototypes, blue-light technology for more comprehensive dimensional inspection data, and automated casting furnaces with advanced controls to meet precise product specifications.