Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) continues to be a vibrant hub for the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, cementing this sector as a key economic engine for the region. A&D is one of SCV’s target industry clusters, due to the valley’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and business-friendly climate. Ongoing demand underscores how vital aerospace is to the local economy, driving investment, innovation, and high-paying jobs.
Growth and Employment Highlights (2024–2025) SCV’s A&D cluster has grown significantly. By early 2024, employment reached record levels, roughly doubling since its lowest point in 2020. In 2024 alone, the valley added 1,461 jobs, with aerospace & defense being a standout contributor. Aerospace and defense jobs are also among the region's highest-paid. In 2024, the average salary in SCV’s A&D industry was about $101,000 per worker, far above the valley’s average of ~$63,6001. These high wages reflect the workforce's skilled nature and aerospace firms' value to the local economy.
SCV hosts renowned aerospace companies anchoring this cluster. Crissair (216 local employees2)—a manufacturer of precision fluid control components for aircraft—and Nycote Laboratories—known for advanced aerospace protective coatings—are prime examples. Both are industry leaders serving on SCVEDC’s board, highlighting strong public-private collaboration. Other major local employers like Woodward (710 local employees2), ITT Aerospace Controls (360 local employees2), Aerospace Dynamics International (238 local employees2), B&B Manufacturing (235 local employees2), and Curtiss-Wright (127 local employees2) continue to innovate and grow here. PPG Aerospace recently renewed its 82k SF building, and ASC Process Systems (294 local employees2) expanded their footprint with an additional 64,732 SF lease, ensuring continued production and employment. These commitments highlight SCV’s appeal as a long-term aerospace base.
SCVEDC plays a pivotal role in nurturing the aerospace and defense cluster. Through strategic initiatives, SCVEDC actively promotes SCV as an ideal aerospace location, emphasizing benefits like proximity to Los Angeles, available industrial space, and a pipeline of engineering talent. SCVEDC facilitates expansions, connects companies with workforce training programs, and advocates for infrastructure improvements to support industry needs.
All signs point to continued momentum. New aerospace technologies and regional defense projects (e.g., support for Plant 42 in nearby Palmdale) continue to fuel fresh demand. With strong market fundamentals and new industrial developments coming online in 2025, SCV is poised to welcome even more aerospace ventures, bringing additional high-quality jobs and innovation.
The aerospace and defense industry in Santa Clarita Valley isn’t just a cluster on paper—it’s a thriving, high-impact sector. Its growth bolsters the economy with skilled employment and capital investment. Backed by SCVEDC’s dedicated efforts, SCV solidifies its reputation as a dynamic and growing aerospace & defense hub, enhancing regional prosperity and reinforcing its strategic importance in Southern California’s aerospace landscape.
Crissair, Inc. (216 local employees)
Founded in 1954, Crissair is a leading manufacturer of precision fluid control components such as valves, actuators, and manifolds for aircraft systems. Now headquartered in Valencia, Crissair supplies nearly every major airframe manufacturer, supporting both commercial and military aviation—including the Lockheed Martin F-35. The company operates a state-of-the-art facility producing over 225,000 components annually and focuses on quality, on-time delivery, and innovation to support next-generation aerospace programs.
Nycote Laboratories Corporation
Founded in the late 1950s, Nycote Laboratories pioneered anti-corrosion coatings for aerospace, including its signature liquid-nylon epoxy used across aviation, space, and industrial sectors. The company’s products protect critical aircraft and satellite parts from corrosion and friction, with recent innovations like antimicrobial and anti-counterfeit coatings. In 2024, Nycote opened a new headquarters in Valencia, expanding R&D and manufacturing capabilities to meet rising global demand.
Woodward HRT, Inc. (710 local employees)
With roots tracing back to Hydraulic Research and HR Textron, Woodward HRT in Valencia is a critical supplier of motion control systems, including actuators and valves for aircraft and missile platforms. Now part of Woodward Inc., the facility produces components for major programs like the F-35 and JDAM, serving clients like Boeing and the U.S. military. The site employs over 700 people and plays a key role in Southern California’s aerospace ecosystem through continuous innovation and deep defense integration.
ITT Aerospace Controls (360 local employees)
ITT Aerospace Controls, headquartered in Valencia, is a division of ITT Inc. and has over 90 years of aerospace heritage. The company produces highly engineered components such as flow control valves, actuators, pumps, and environmental control system parts for commercial and military aircraft. ITT is known for its fuel and water system valves, cockpit switches, and aircraft noise control systems used on Boeing, Airbus, and defense platforms. The Valencia site serves as its global HQ and R&D center, driving innovation in lightweight, high-reliability aerospace systems.
Aerospace Dynamics International (238 local employees)
Aerospace Dynamics International (ADI), part of PCC Aerostructures, is a premier supplier of large, complex machined parts for commercial and military aircraft. Operating out of its Valencia facility, ADI manufactures wing spars, fuselage structures, and engine mounts for platforms like the F-35, C-130, Boeing 787, and Airbus A350. It is known for precision machining of titanium and aluminum components and works directly with major OEMs and integrators. The company continues to invest in automation and advanced equipment to meet global demand for structural aircraft parts.
B&B Manufacturing (236 local employees)
Founded in 1959, B&B Manufacturing in Valencia is a longtime contract manufacturer of complex machined parts, assemblies, and kits for aerospace and defense. The company operates a 120,000-square-foot facility with advanced CNC machining and lean manufacturing processes, serving clients like Boeing and Lockheed Martin through direct and Tier 1 relationships. B&B’s parts are used in military aircraft, satellites, and semiconductor equipment, and its expansion includes recent building additions and workforce development programs.
PPG Aerospace
PPG Aerospace, a division of PPG Industries, operates an Application Support Center in Valencia, providing advanced aerospace coatings, sealants, and aircraft transparencies. PPG's products are used globally on platforms like the Boeing 787, F-35, and Gulfstream jets, supporting both OEM and aftermarket clients. Its SCV facility provides West Coast aerospace firms with rapid tinting, technical support, and inventory. The company continues to innovate in chromate-free primers, solar-reflective coatings, and bird-strike-resistant transparencies.
ASC Process Systems (294 local employees)
Headquartered in Valencia, ASC Process Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of aerospace autoclaves and ovens used to cure composite materials for aircraft, rockets, and space vehicles. Its Econoclave systems are used by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX for components like fuselages and fairings. The company’s 125,000-square-foot facility designs and fabricates massive custom equipment with advanced control software. ASC continues to grow through investments in new manufacturing capacity and next-gen curing technologies.
Curtiss-Wright (127 local employees)
Founded in 1985 as Vista Controls and acquired by Curtiss-Wright in 2001, the Santa Clarita facility has become a pivotal center for the company's Defense Solutions division. Spanning 57,000 square feet, this site specializes in designing and manufacturing rugged, high-reliability mission and sensor processing systems for both manned and unmanned military aircraft. Key clients include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and General Atomics, with products deployed on platforms such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk, CH-53K King Stallion, and RQ-9 Reaper. The facility boasts advanced engineering capabilities, including a state-of-the-art innovation laboratory, environmental testing chambers, and in-house vibration testing equipment. Certified to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 standards, the Santa Clarita team continues to support critical defense programs while actively engaging in community outreach and STEM education initiatives.
Adept Fasteners (249 local employees)
Founded in 2001, Adept Fasteners has established itself as a leading distributor of aerospace, structural, and engine fasteners, operating from its headquarters in Valencia, California. With a vast inventory exceeding 80,000 parts and partnerships with top-tier manufacturers, Adept serves prominent clients like Airbus, Boeing, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company's 2020 expansion into a 110,000-square-foot facility underscores its growth and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense sectors.
1 - Annual benchmarking data for 2024, provided by California Economic Forecast.
2 - Latest numbers of local employees reported to the SCVEDC at the time of this publication.
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) is a unique private / public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. The SCVEDC utilizes an integrated approach to attracting, retaining and expanding a diversity of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially those in key industry clusters, by offering competitive business services and other resources.