Economic announcement made in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The first supplier for Airbus announced Thursday, December 6 it's building a facility in Mobile.

Labinal announced it will locate in the Brookley Aeroplex and hire about 50 people.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said the average starting salary is about $70,000.

Labinal is part of Safran Engineering Services, a French aerospace company, and makes wiring.

Safran Chief Executive Officer Bruno Bernard told a group of government and business leaders, "As you can probably hear, I'm not from Mobile, but I'm proud to call it home."

"There were other people in our region, both in east and west, that were looking to talk to these folks, and they have talked to them, so, we were in a competitive status," Mayor Jones said.

Labinal is the first of what city officials hope will be many Airbus suppliers moving to Mobile.