Company to develop and produce tethered drones
OAK CREEK – Menet Aero, LLC, a designer, developer and manufacturer of tethered drone systems, today joined with state and local officials to announce that the company is establishing its headquarters and production facility in Oak Creek, and siting its field testing operations in Mount Pleasant.
“We’re excited to call Wisconsin our new home,” said Peter Menet, the company’s President and Founder. “The global market for unmanned aircraft is experiencing significant growth. Wisconsin is well-known as an advantageous location for manufacturing precision products like ours. The Oak Creek and Mount Pleasant operations will serve as a platform for not only drone production, but also for research and testing related to future products and advancements.” Menet Aero will lease 8,000 square feet of space at 440 W. Bell Ct. in Oak Creek. The company currently employs 13 highly-skilled engineering and technical professionals with plans to double its workforce by 2025.
Founded in 2015, Menet Aero produces tethered drone systems used by customers in a variety of market segments, including military, security and disaster recovery. These “fly by wire” systems are capable of quick deployment in high-stress situations, such as military combat zones and natural disaster areas, and support a variety of payloads for a range of applications, including telecommunications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and live broadcast video feed.
Menet Aero is receiving a warm reception from government and economic development officials.
“As we celebrate Armed Forces Week, it is especially important that we recognize the contributions and value of veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs like Menet Aero,” said Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz. “We welcome Menet Aero as part of a growing aerospace presence in Oak Creek and stand ready to be a partner in their continued success.”
In addition to its operations in Oak Creek, Menet Aero will be leasing 38 acres of land from the Village of Mount Pleasant for a drone field testing and training area. “The Village of Mount Pleasant is excited to host Menet Aero’s testing operations, which adds another forward-looking business to the Village’s extensive base of technology-focused companies,” said Village President David DeGroot. The site is located at the end of West Rd., north of Washington Ave. (State Highway 20). The lease is contingent on final approval later this month by the Village Board of Trustees.
Menet Aero expands Wisconsin’s growing aerospace and aviation cluster, which is built upon the state’s historic expertise in nanotechnology, engineering, power and control systems, and composite materials. “Menet Aero’s decision to move to southeast Wisconsin is a win for our entire state,” said Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
“Their record of innovation and their leadership in aerospace and aviation technologies makes them a perfect fit for Wisconsin.”
The Milwaukee 7 (M7) regional economic development organization also worked to attract Menet Aero to Wisconsin.
“Peter Menet and his team are building precisely the type of high-growth company we want and can well support in southeastern Wisconsin,” said M7 Executive Director Jim Paetsch. “Our region continues to be a hub for imagining and producing sophisticated products in a wide range of verticals.”
Wisconsin Aerospace Partners also played a role in bringing Menet Aero to Wisconsin. “Our mission is to support organizations engaged with the aerospace industry in Wisconsin,“ said Wisconsin Aerospace Partners Chairman Michael Adam. “We are excited to use our network and support businesses that grow the economic vitality of the state and the aerospace industry.“