Lacks Enterprises Expands into Military Drone Production with Texas Defense Contractor

Grand Rapids-based Lacks Enterprises Inc. is diversifying beyond automotive by investing in a Texas defense contractor, a move that has already landed the family-owned supplier its first contract to build military drones.

Lacks Enterprises in April acquired an unspecified equity stake in Dallas-based IGCS International, a veteran-owned small business that provides logistics and maintenance services to the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies and contractors.

In the weeks after the deal, the companies announced they secured a contract to build four long-range unmanned aerial vehicle platforms at a Lacks facility in Grand Rapids.

The IGCS deal positions Lacks’ Carbon Fiber division to serve aerospace and federal government clients. The division produces ultra-lightweight carbon fiber wheels and components that significantly reduce weight and enhance performance, durability and efficiency.

Diversifying into the aerospace industry could provide Lacks with a key growth opportunity outside of the stagnating automotive industry, while also giving the defense sector high-volume production capacity built to meet strict quality control standards.

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#defense contractor #military drones #aerospace industry #business expansion #Grand Rapids innovation