Toppe Consulting – Your Source for Digital News & Trends in the Legal Industry
On September 16, 2025, Woodward, Inc. announced plans to invest nearly $200 million in a new 300,000-square-foot precision manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, creating approximately 275 high-quality jobs. This investment reinforces the Upstate’s position as an aerospace manufacturing powerhouse and creates opportunities for law firms serving aerospace clients.
The Woodward Investment
Company Profile: Founded in 1870, Woodward specializes in energy control solutions for aerospace and industrial markets, including aviation, power generation, marine transportation, and oil and gas operations.
Facility Details: The 300,000-square-foot facility in Smith Farms Industrial Park in Greer will focus on servo-hydraulic actuation systems for aircraft flight control.
Primary Customer: Initially, most factory capacity will produce spoiler actuation systems for the Airbus A350, with future expansion to additional aircraft manufacturers.
Timeline: Operations expected in 2027, with production and hiring scaling progressively to meet market demand.
Economic Impact: The project received a $1.75 million Closing Fund grant from the Coordinating Council for Economic Development plus job development credits.
Strategic Site Selection
Woodward conducted an extensive nationwide search before selecting Spartanburg County, citing robust manufacturing infrastructure, access to skilled aerospace talent, proximity to key suppliers, and competitive incentive packages.
The Upstate’s aerospace sector continues expanding. As Greenville’s metro area approaches 1 million residents, the region attracts aerospace investment, creating opportunities for legal practitioners who understand the industry.
South Carolina’s Aerospace Context
Boeing Charleston: The North Charleston facility assembles the 787 Dreamliner and anchors the state’s aerospace sector.
GE Vernova: Announced a $160 million Greenville facility investment and 650 new jobs in January 2025.
Lockheed Martin: Maintains significant Upstate operations.
Supply Chain Ecosystem: Over 500 aerospace-related companies operate in South Carolina, creating an integrated supply chain.
Legal Issues in Aerospace Manufacturing
Long-Term Supply Contracts: Woodward’s Airbus contract likely extends years into the future. These agreements involve FAA qualification and certification requirements, quality assurance documentation, pricing escalation provisions, and termination scenarios.
Intellectual Property: Aerospace manufacturing involves proprietary technology including design rights, manufacturing process IP, trade secrets, and patent strategies. Woodward referenced “highly automated” production and “operational excellence capabilities developed through LEAP and GTF aircraft engine programs”—valuable intellectual property requiring protection.
Employment Considerations: Creating 275 aerospace manufacturing jobs involves recruiting from competitors, training and development commitments, retention strategies, and immigration considerations for specialized talent.
Economic Development Incentives: Woodward received job development credits and a $1.75 million grant. These incentives include job creation targets, capital investment requirements, clawback provisions, and reporting requirements.
Environmental and Safety Regulations: Aerospace manufacturing requires environmental permits, OSHA compliance programs, and specialized material handling procedures governed by EPA regulations.
Export Controls: Aerospace manufacturing often involves ITAR compliance, Export Administration Regulations, and foreign person access restrictions.
Attorneys handling aerospace matters benefit from speaking engagements and conference presentations that establish expertise in this specialized field.
Positioning Your Firm for Aerospace Work
Aerospace manufacturers conduct extensive online research before selecting counsel. When Woodward executives or other aerospace companies search “aerospace attorney Spartanburg” or “manufacturing lawyer Upstate,” your firm should dominate those results.
Content marketing demonstrates expertise. Regular articles addressing aerospace supply agreements, intellectual property protection, and economic development issues position your firm as the resource when companies face legal questions.
Law firms serving aerospace clients need strategic online reputation management showcasing their aerospace manufacturing expertise through client testimonials and industry recognition.
The Positive Aerospace Narrative
Unlike the EV battery sector’s challenges, aerospace manufacturing in South Carolina shows consistent growth. Woodward’s investment joins GE Vernova’s $160 million Greenville investment and continued Boeing Charleston growth.
Governor Henry McMaster stated: “When global companies like Woodward, Inc. decide to invest in our state, it further solidifies South Carolina’s impressive reputation in the manufacturing industry.”
Spartanburg County Council Chairman Manning Lynch added: “Woodward, Inc. is a global leader whose investment in Spartanburg County will increase our presence in the aerospace industry and will provide meaningful economic-advancement opportunity for the people of our county.”
Why Aerospace Companies Choose U.S. Manufacturing
Chairman and CEO Chip Blankenship described the facility as “a showcase manufacturing site, much like our Rock Cut, Illinois, campus, vertically integrated, highly automated, and built on the capabilities and methodologies in operational excellence.”
This U.S. advanced manufacturing commitment reflects quality control requirements, customer proximity advantages, intellectual property protection, supply chain resilience priorities, and clear regulatory frameworks.
Long-Term Strategic Positioning
Woodward’s investment demonstrates confidence in commercial aviation recovery through the Airbus A350 program, defense aerospace stability, technology leadership in automated manufacturing, and South Carolina’s competitive advantages in skilled workforce and business-friendly environment.
Law firms must position themselves through government affairs expertise—deep industry knowledge combined with sophisticated digital presence.
How Toppe Consulting Helps Law Firms Capture Aerospace Clients
At Toppe Consulting, we specialize in digital marketing exclusively for law firms. We understand aerospace manufacturers conduct extensive online research before selecting counsel.
We build SEO-optimized websites showcasing your aerospace and advanced manufacturing expertise. Our content marketing establishes your authority through regular articles on issues affecting aerospace manufacturers. We manage Google Ads campaigns targeting companies searching for specific legal services.
Most importantly, we help law firms convert website visitors into consultation requests. When an aerospace executive visits your site searching for guidance on supply agreements or intellectual property protection, your contact forms, calls-to-action, and mobile-responsive design should make scheduling a consultation effortless.
Woodward’s investment represents confidence in South Carolina’s advanced manufacturing future and an opportunity for legal professionals to deliver exceptional value to clients pursuing aerospace manufacturing growth.
About the Author
Jim Toppe is the founder of Toppe Consulting, a digital marketing agency specializing in law firms. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Clemson University and teaches Business Law at Greenville Technical College. Jim also serves as publisher and editor for South Carolina Manufacturing, a digital magazine. His unique background combines legal knowledge with digital marketing expertise to help attorneys grow their practices through compliant, results-driven strategies.
About Toppe Consulting: We provide website development, SEO, and digital marketing services exclusively for law firms. Our expertise in legal marketing helps attorneys attract and convert their ideal clients online.
Ready to grow your firm’s aerospace practice? Contact us to discuss how we can help your firm capture more aerospace clients through strategic digital marketing.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Works Cited
“Global Company Invests $200M in Spartanburg Aerospace Plant.” GSA Business Report, 16 Sept. 2025, gsabusiness.com/woodward-200m-spartanburg-aerospace-investment.
“Major Manufacturer Investing $200 Million in New South Carolina Factory.” WBTV, 16 Sept. 2025, www.wbtv.com/2025/09/16/major-manufacturer-investing-200-million-new-south-carolina-factory.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Regulations for Emissions from Vehicles and Engines.” EPA.gov, www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. FAA.gov, www.faa.gov. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
“Woodward, Inc. Selects Spartanburg County to Establish a New Manufacturing Site in South Carolina.” S.C. Governor Henry McMaster, 16 Sept. 2025, governor.sc.gov/news/2025-09/woodward-inc-selects-spartanburg-county-establish-new-manufacturing-site-south.
“Woodward to Build a 300,000-Square-Foot Manufacturing Facility for Aircraft Spoiler Actuation Systems in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.” Globe Newswire, 16 Sept. 2025, www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/16/3150979/32326/en/Woodward-to-Build-a-300-000-Square-Foot-Manufacturing-Facility-for-Aircraft-Spoiler-Actuation-Systems-in-Spartanburg-County-South-Carolina.html.
