Julie Chung, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory established by the American engineering technology conglomerate Transdigm Group, which has invested $8.5 million in Sri Lanka. The factory, named ‘SHIELD’, will be located in the Vatupitiwala export processing zone and is a joint venture with AmSafe BirdPort.
What makes this investment particularly noteworthy is that Transdigm has migrated its operations from China to Sri Lanka, signaling a significant shift in the company’s global manufacturing strategy. The new facility aims to provide advanced engineering solutions tailored for the global aviation sector.
The ceremony took place on October 31, and was attended by key figures, including SHIELD Chairman Dennis Purcell, Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Arjuna Herath, BOI Director General Renuka M. Weerakoon, and AmSafe BirdPort General Manager Chandani Ekanayake.
Ambassador Chung emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “Since the merger of AmSafe Commercial Products and Beam’s Seatbelts in 2013, SHIELD has become the global leader in residential security systems. From children’s car seats to commercial vehicle seat belts, SHIELD’s products are trusted worldwide for their quality and reliability. SHIELD’s decision to relocate its facility in China to establish a manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka is evidence of the growing interest in U.S. investment in Sri Lanka.”
She further noted that the United States is already Sri Lanka’s largest export market, expressing optimism for increased bilateral trade and investment between the two nations in the coming years. The establishment of large-scale U.S. investments directly in Sri Lanka represents a pivotal development in enhancing economic relations and creating new opportunities for the local economy.
