Pilatus will take over Ruag Aerostructures Schweiz’s entire workforce of about 230 employees and all its machinery in the second quarter, the Swiss manufacturer said today. In line with the Swiss government’s “strategic goals” for Ruag International, Pilatus will make its own components at the site in Emmen, Switzerland.

Ruag Aerostructures Schweiz has produced parts and components for Pilatus Aircraft since the early 1990s, including fuselages for the PC-21 and horizontal stabilizers for the PC-12. Pilatus said this acquisition will allow Pilatus to increase its production capacity and add more competencies.

“The new location close to Lucerne will give us better access to talent whilst also allowing us to expand our own production expertise,” said Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher.

Pilatus plans to rent a facility from Ruag Real Estate at the site at Emmen Airfield. Future operations will exclusively involve making parts and components required for aircraft production at Pilatus’ main plant in Stans, Switzerland. For a limited period, Pilatus will continue to take orders from external customers previously served by Ruag Aerostructures Schweiz.

A separate agreement between Ruag Real Estate and Pilatus also sets out options for the acquisition of an adjacent plot of land for potential future development in the medium to long term.