Sixty-thousand-square-foot facility combines Australian-developed maritime technology with U.S. manufacturing and sustainment capabilities.

EDENTON — The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) officially opened its advanced watercraft manufacturing facility in Edenton on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in the company’s U.S. expansion and strengthening domestic production and sustainment capacity for American defense, government and commercial customers.

The facility was officially opened at a ceremony attended by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, local government representatives, defense and industry leaders, and TWPG employees and partners, according to a press release from the company.

Story’s photo is of Darren Schuback, Founder and CEO of TWPG.

And yes, you read that right — an Australian firm; a continent that has brought us Crocodile Dundee, rock band Men at Work and supermodel Elle McPherson. While this photo was taken, Schuback probably said to Stein, “That’s not a scisssors, this is scissors.”

We’ve heard tales of this Aussie economic development during the past several months, so it is good to see it confirmed, real, and ready to go.

Located on a 50-acre waterfront site, the 60,000 sq ft facility will serve as TWPG’s primary U.S. manufacturing and sustainment hub, supporting advanced aluminum and composite watercraft production engineering, maintenance and technical services.

The facility is expected to support over 200 high-value American jobs as operations grow, with a planned investment of US $10M to establish and develop its US operations.

Founded by former Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers, TWPG has built its reputation on developing advanced watercraft informed by frontline operational experience. Its U.S. expansion brings this specialist maritime technology and engineering expertise into American manufacturing, drawing on North Carolina’s skilled maritime workforce.

Darren Schuback, Founder and CEO of TWPG, said the opening reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. defense industrial base.

“The United States is central to our future, and we’re backing that commitment by investing in local manufacturing, skilled jobs and the capability to build and sustain advanced watercraft here in North Carolina. This is about more than opening a factory; it’s about building long-term capability to support U.S. defense, law enforcement and commercial customers and strengthen America’s maritime industrial base.

“Australia has developed exceptional maritime technology and engineering expertise. We’re bringing that innovation together with the talent and strength of American manufacturing to build world-class watercraft in the U.S., with American workers, for the operators who depend on them.”

The Edenton facility establishes a key part of TWPG’s dual-hub manufacturing model, connecting its U.S. operations with established design, engineering, manufacturing and sustainment capability in Yamba, Newcastle, Australia and Picton New Zealand.

This integrated model provides additional production capacity and technical expertise across the Pacific, while enabling vessels to be manufactured, maintained, and supported closer to U.S. customers. It also positions TWPG to better support bilateral defense operations and long-term sustainment requirements across both countries.

“North Carolina has the skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise, and maritime heritage that companies like The Whiskey Project Group need to succeed,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This investment will bring good-paying jobs to northeastern North Carolina, strengthen our national security, and create new opportunities for the people of Chowan and neighboring counties.”

The opening comes amid growing momentum for TWPG in the U.S. defense market.

TWPG has secured a US$36 million production contract to deliver tactical watercraft, with deliveries scheduled through September 2029. The next Whiskey vessels will be manufactured in Edenton, NC, supported by engineering, design and program expertise from TWPG Australia and its industry partners.

TWPG was also selected as one of eight manufacturers for the U.S. Navy’s decade-long program covering up to 474 composite rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), with a total potential program value of up to US$650 million across all participating manufacturers if all options are exercised.

The Edenton facility will support the manufacture and sustainment of TWPG’s Whiskey, NAiAD and VYCOR watercraft products, with plans to progressively expand production capacity and manufacture larger vessels as U.S. operations grow.