KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- DMR Technologies will open its first U.S. manufacturing hub in Lafayette Parish.
- Facility expected to generate 521 direct and 766 indirect jobs, totaling 1,287 positions.
- Lafayette site will assemble 500–1,000 Field Ranger X50 drones in its first year.
- Investment includes workforce development incentives and supports Louisiana’s advanced manufacturing strategy.
DMR Technologies has announced plans to launch its first full-scale U.S. manufacturing facility in Lafayette, a move expected to generate more than 1,200 jobs in the region.
The site will serve as the company’s primary domestic production hub for its Field Ranger X50 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), with operations slated to begin by the end of 2025.
The facility will create 521 direct jobs over the next decade, offering an average annual salary of $85,000 — roughly 151% of the parish’s average wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that an additional 766 indirect jobs will be supported, bringing the total economic impact to nearly 1,300 positions.
“Louisiana is competing to win in next-generation industries like aerospace, defense and advanced technology,” Gov. Jeff Landry said in a news release by LED. “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.”
The 10,000-square-foot facility at 105 Dorset Ave. is undergoing renovations and will integrate advanced flight control printing, rotor manufacturing, assembly, quality control, and logistics staging under one roof. In its first year, the plant is expected to assemble 500 to 1,000 drones.
David Wang, DMR Technologies co-founder and CEO, said Lafayette offers the company the infrastructure and talent to scale quickly.
“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,” Wang said in the news release.
Ryan Case, co-founder and head of U.S. operations, emphasized the facility’s logistics advantages.
“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,” he said.
The Lafayette hub will include co-located engineering and compliance teams, quality testing areas, an on-site warehouse, and logistics staging to ensure production and deployment processes remain fully domestic.
Officials said the project supports Louisiana’s broader strategy to attract advanced manufacturing and aerospace operations. “This investment is a powerful example of LED’s 9×90 work plan coming to life,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois.
Local leaders praised the economic benefits of the project. Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet called the investment “exactly the kind of project that helps Lafayette grow, diversify our economy, and continue to stay on the cutting edge of technology.”
DMR Technologies designs and manufactures high-performance industrial drones for applications in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, industrial inspection, logistics, and public safety. The company is headquartered in Houston, with offices in Detroit and a global operational footprint.
The state offered DMR a competitive incentives package, including workforce development solutions through LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant contingent on meeting investment and employment targets. The company is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s High Impact Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
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