LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – A leading manufacturer of drones plans to build some of them in Lafayette, officials said.

Louisiana Economic Development has announced DMR Technologies will establish its first full-scale U.S. manufacturing facility in Lafayette Parish, where the company will produce and deploy its flagship Field Ranger X50 unmanned aerial systems for the American market.

DMR Technologies is a U.S.-based industrial drone manufacturer with its global headquarters in Houston, Texas and an office in Detroit, Michigan, with global operations. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for enterprise and commercial applications, including precision agriculture, industrial inspection, environmental monitoring, logistics and public safety.

LED said in a news release the company is expected to create 521 direct new jobs over the next 10 years with an average annual salary of $85,000, and estimates the project will result in an additional 766 indirect new jobs.

“Louisiana has proven to be an ideal partner,” DMR Technologies Co-founder and CEO David Wang said. “Lafayette offers us the talent, infrastructure and policy environment we need to ramp up quickly and operate with efficiency. More than drones, we’re building upon our strategic partnership with Lafayette Parish-based SoLA Drones, and we’re building a resilient, future-focused U.S. supply chain and Louisiana gives us the foundation to do exactly that.”

Gov. Jeff Landry said the state is "competing to win in next-generation industries like aerospace, defense and advanced technology.”

"DMR’s decision to manufacture here is a vote of confidence in Louisiana’s workforce, our pro-growth policies and the momentum we are building statewide," Landry said. "This is exactly the type of project that delivers lasting opportunity for our people and communities."

The Acadiana site will serve as DMR’s primary domestic production hub. In its initial phase, the facility is expected to assemble 500 to 1,000 drones within its first year of production, according to DMR Technologies Co-founder and Head of U.S. Operations Ryan Case.

“This isn’t just about production — it’s about access," Case said. "Being located in Louisiana gives us a strong logistics footprint to serve both U.S. and international clients. With the launch of our Lafayette facility, we’re eliminating lead time issues and delivering next-day fulfillment for many of our U.S. customers."

The Lafayette operation will house engineering and compliance teams, dedicated space for quality testing, an on-site warehouse and logistics staging areas, officials said.

Lafayette Mayor-President Monique said she is excited to welcome DMR Technologies to Lafayette.

"Creating more than 500 jobs will bring real opportunities for our families, friends and neighbors,” Boulet said. “By updating an existing facility, DMR Technologies is reinvesting in part of our community while keeping costs low. This is the kind of project that helps Lafayette grow, diversify our economy, and continue to stay on the cutting edge of technology.”
 
Renovations at the 10,000-square-foot facility located at 105 Dorset Avenue are already underway with production slated to begin by the end of the year.

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