Cobham Expansion to Add 100+ Jobs in Exeter

Cobham, which makes radar parts for America's jet of the future, is getting off the ground with an expansion of its Exeter facilities to make way for more than 100 new jobs.

The company is more than doubling the size of its manufacturing plant on Continental Drive. The plant currently employs about 225 people; the expansion would add at least 130 more, according to company officials.

Manchester-based Pro Con Inc. is doing the expansion work.

Cobham recently closed its plant in Methuen, Mass. and is tranferring those jobs to Exeter.

Cobham decided on moving operations to New Hampshire because of the state's low taxes, according to Michael Bergeron, of the state's Division of Economic Development.

Cobham, based in England, makes radar parts for U.S. submarines, destroyers, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter -- the jet of the future for the U.S. and other partner countries. Cobham also makes radar parts for Airbus and Boeing commercial planes. The majority of the work done in Exeter is military-related.

"We are excited about this move to New Hampshire," said John Moore, a Cobham vice president, in a statement.

Pro Con said Cobham's new space will exceed energy standards by using efficient windows, among other materials. The work is expected to be completed by September.

Cobham is also planning on expanding its presence on Industrial Drive, where about 125 employees work. That expansion would require 80 more employees, Moore has previously said. An exact timeframe has not been set.

The Cobham expansion will help make up for gunmaker Sig Sauer's to move its headquarters from Exeter to the Pease Tradeport in Newington.

Cobham employs more than 10,000 people on five continents.