This article is part of our Testimonial Video Series, highlighting firsthand insights from executives who chose Puerto Rico to build and scale their operations.
Collins Aerospace in Puerto Rico: 30+ Years of Building What’s Next
For more than three decades, Collins Aerospace has maintained a strong presence in Santa Isabel. What began as a single building under the Westinghouse name has grown into a multi-building campus that delivers electronics and electromechanical components for the aerospace and defense industries.
Today, the site produces everything from circuit card assemblies to line-replaceable units (LRUs), modular, self-contained boxes that can be swapped in or out of an aircraft quickly to keep planes flying with minimal downtime, as well as generators and other critical systems, all shipped directly from Puerto Rico to customers worldwide.
“We’ve created more than components,” says Margaret Horsfield, Associate Director of Strategy for Puerto Rico Operations. “We’ve created careers and cultivated a community.”
At a glance
- Footprint: from 1 to 12 buildings, with room to expand
- Talent: 1,400+ local employees, including 200+ engineers
- Lifecycle on-site: design → manufacturing → maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), plus business support services
Why Puerto Rico Works for Aerospace & Defense
From Horsfield’s vantage point, Puerto Rico offers unique advantages for the aerospace and defense industry.
“Decades of pharmaceutical expertise mean the talent here already understands how to operate in highly regulated industries,” she explains. “As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico also aligns with federal and local reshoring efforts, supported by executive orders and incentives that actively promote critical manufacturing.”
The island’s universities and technical institutions also play a key role in sustaining a specialized talent pipeline. “The talent pool is ready for the complex demands of aerospace and defense,” Horsfield emphasizes.
That combination of workforce, jurisdiction, and policy support is why, she adds, “We don’t see Puerto Rico as just a satellite location. It’s a pivotal strategic site, and we’re continuing to invest here.”
A Professional Move Becomes a Family Adventure
Horsfield has been with Collins Aerospace for over 20 years, advancing her career across engineering, supply chain, operations, and strategy. About a year ago, she and her husband began considering Puerto Rico not just as a place to work, but as a place to raise their children.
“We fell in love with Puerto Rico,” she recalls. “My husband and I were so excited to bring our kids here and really make the island our home. I reached out to Collins and said, ‘I’d like to relocate to Puerto Rico; are there opportunities?’ The answer came back quickly: ‘Yes. Puerto Rico is a growth opportunity, and we need a strategist.’ That’s how I ended up joining the site here.”
For Horsfield, the decision to relocate wasn’t only professional, it was also deeply personal. “You’ll put in 40 to 60 hours anywhere,” she says. “But here, after work and on weekends, my family and I get to explore waterfalls, watch sunsets on the beach, and enjoy Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture. It feels like a dream come true.”
Community, Legacy, and Momentum
The company’s long-standing presence has also created deep community ties. Horsfield recalls a conversation with a longtime team member: “He told me that when he first started at the site, his dream was to create a generational facility where his kids and extended family could work. Today, both his son and daughter are part of our Santa Isabel team. That story captures what this site really is: it’s more than a factory. It’s a community.”
The Bottom Line
With a best-cost environment, strategic location, world-class logistics, and a highly specialized workforce, Puerto Rico is central to Collins Aerospace’s global growth. The company’s legacy of over 30 years on the island continues to expand, underscoring Puerto Rico’s role as a hub for advanced aerospace and defense manufacturing.
Ready to explore Puerto Rico for your operation?
Contact Invest Puerto Rico or click here to learn more about the island’s aerospace sector.
