Beehive Industries, a U.S. manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems, has announced its acquisition of the assets of two Greater Cincinnati machine shops, Able Tool Corporation and its subsidiary, Planet Products Corporation. This strategic move is designed to significantly scale up production for its Frenzy 3D-printed jet engine as it enters a new phase. The acquisition follows a recent $29.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force, highlighting the growing demand for Beehive's technology in uncrewed aerial defense applications.
Strategic Expansion for Full-Rate Production
The acquisition directly supports the Frenzy 8 engine's transition into full-rate production after a year of successful ground and high-altitude testing that validated its performance, durability, and readiness. With this proven momentum, Beehive is now focused on scaling its operations to meet the urgent needs of its defense customers. This expansion provides immediate, production-ready machining capabilities to accelerate the delivery of its advanced propulsion systems at the speed the modern warfighter demands.
A Dual-Pronged Manufacturing Strategy
This move establishes a new operating model for Beehive, creating two dedicated Centers of Excellence to streamline its manufacturing process and enhance specialization. The newly acquired facilities in Greater Cincinnati will form a Production Machining COE, becoming the company's hub for high-volume precision machining. This center will work in tandem with Beehive's Production Additive Manufacturing COE in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is dedicated to advanced 3D printing and post-processing.
Together, these specialized sites create a focused, production-first system built for speed, precision, and repeatability, with a target of producing over 8,000 engines annually. The Knoxville facility's capacity was recently bolstered by the purchase of 30 EOS metal 3D printers, the single-largest publicly disclosed purchase of such machines. This multimillion-dollar investment more than doubles the company's additive manufacturing capacity, allowing for rapid acceleration of high-rate production.
Integrating Decades of Aerospace Expertise
The acquisition brings more than just machinery; it integrates a rich history of aerospace expertise and proven talent into Beehive's operations. Founded in 1984 by Dan and Jan Hayes, Able Tool has a proven track record in precision machining, while Planet Products has a legacy dating back to 1947. This combined experience of over 120 years in delivering precision components is now foundational to Beehive’s ability to scale with less risk.
"This acquisition gives us immediate precision machining capability, proven talent, and the operational experience to scale with confidence," stated Darius Ehteshami, Chief Operations and Finance Officer at Beehive Industries. Leadership from the acquired firms viewed the merger as mission-driven, with Co-Founder Dan Hayes calling it "the right next step." Paul Hayes, President of both firms, added that joining Beehive allows their experience to have a greater impact on powering American defense.
Beehive Industries' acquisition of Able Tool and Planet Products marks a pivotal step in its growth, combining innovative additive manufacturing with proven precision machining to create a robust production ecosystem. This strategic integration not only accelerates the production of its critical Frenzy engines but also strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base. The move creates a powerful, scalable manufacturing system poised to meet the evolving demands of modern defense applications while creating new workforce opportunities.