Wing, the Google-owned drone maker operating the largest drone delivery footprint in the U.S., has revealed plans for an expanded manufacturing footprint.
The company is already serving major metro areas from more than 70 sites with plans to reach more than 40 million Americans by 2027. It also sees the upcoming release of the Beyond Visual Line of Sight rule as a catalyst for massive expansion.
To meet this growth, Wing is investing in its R&D and engineering capabilities in California and its newest 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. At this facility, the company said it will create up to 100 new manufacturing jobs and invest up to $125 million in direct manufacturing over the next two years.
“Drone delivery has become a global reality, driven by clear demand from our partners and their customers,” said Wing CEO Adam Woodworth in a statement. “The U.S. is our focus for growth, and by investing in the future of drone delivery here, we are continuing to advance American aviation innovation as we build our commercial momentum.”
Wing began in 2012 at X, Google’s Moonshot Factory, with a mission to find a better way to deliver a two-pound package that didn't require a two-ton vehicle. Wing focused on solving problems with deliveries to homes, where each route is unique and neighborhoods constantly change with new obstacles like pools, landscaping and parked cars.
Since earning the nation’s first Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate for drone operations in 2019, the company has scaled from research to one of the country's largest drone delivery services.
Wing, which has partnered with retailers including Walmart, has already launched in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Orlando. It plans to add new markets including Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle.
