Fairbanks Morse Defense Breaks Ground on Davit Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Poland
FMD, supported by the Polish Investment Zone, has invested 7 million euro to expand localised production of critical handling equipment for autonomous and crewed fleets.
BELOIT, Wis., August 17, 2026--Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, today announced a 6.98 million euro investment in the expansion of the Vestdavit production facility in Redzikowo, Poland in partnership with the Pomeranian Regional Development Agency (PARR). The site will serve as FMD's global Davit Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (DMCoE), providing localised support to NATO and European naval forces, while producing the advanced systems needed to deploy and recover autonomous and crewed vessels.
Image: Vesdavit production facility in Redzikowo, Poland, credit Fairbanks Morse Defense.
To mark the announcement, FMD senior executives and employees hosted representatives of the PARR as well as local and regional officials at an August 13 groundbreaking ceremony in Redzikowo. PARR manages the Słupsk Special Economic Zone and supports regional investment projects under the Polish Investment Zone programme. FMD announced that the facility expansion will increase annual production by 80%, nearly doubling FMD's total production capacity of davits and maritime handling equipment. The additional capacity will enhance FMD's ability to provide NATO and European naval forces with the most advanced handling systems while maintaining the highest standards of quality and workplace safety.
"Poland's Słupsk District was a clear choice for establishing our Davit Manufacturing Centre of Excellence given its strategic location, strong regional infrastructure and skilled workforce," said Rolf Andreas Wigand, FMD Managing Director of Davits. "The nearly 7 million euro investment will not only enhance production capacity and output, it will also advance European strategic autonomy. By strengthening nearshore European manufacturing and supply chains, FMD can ensure allied navies have lifecycle support on the continent to execute increasingly dynamic missions in a contested maritime domain."
In direct support of the regional economy, FMD's DMCoE will create an expected 30% increase in workforce growth over the next three years. The expansion will generate demand for specialized technical expertise, including welders, electricians, hydraulic technicians and assemblers, and engineers to aid in production, maintenance and lifecycle support. FMD and Vestdavit are actively collaborating with local municipalities and educational institutions to identify and recruit local labour.