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Piaggio America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genoa, Italy-based Piaggio Aero Industries, S.p.A., is basing its U.S. headquarters in Greenville, S.C., where it will provide assembly, sales and marketing, customer service and product support for the Piaggio Avanti aircraft in north America. 
Steve Hanvey, president and CEO of Piaggio America, says, "We're excited about being in Greenville. By establishing a presence in this part of the world, and in particular the U.S., we can expand service and support for our current customers while marketing and selling to new customers throughout all of the Americas."
Piaggio Aero manufactures the Avanti P180 twin-engine turboprop pusher. The Avanti P180 is a uniquely engineered aircraft due to its propellers being set backward to push, not pull, it through the air. It also has a front canard for increased stability that adds to its unique engineering and styling.
The Avanti P180 can hold up to nine passengers and a crew of two while traveling at 395 knots at a cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. The plane sells for $4.7 million. Its cabin is comparable to a mid-size jet aircraft that often costs two-to-three times more than the Avanti's $4.7 million price tag.
Piaggio America's headquarters will be located south of Greenville, S.C., at the Donald Center Industrial Air Park. The company will initially hire approximately ten employees to handle sales, product support and customer service, but hopes to expand its operation to include aircraft assembly that will require a staff of at least 100 employees.
Piaggio Aero Industries, S.p.A., is partially owned by members of the Ferrari family. The company was most recently owned by the Italian government, but is now wholly owned by private investors. Piaggio is expanding production from eight to fifteen units this year, and has plans to expand their production capacity to fill demand for the airplane. 
Hanvey says, "I would not be surprised if Piaggio eventually replaces the P180's propellers with jet engines. However, most of our customers don't seem too concerned about the propellers once they see how comfortable it is to fly in the quiet, luxurious and expansive cabin."
The Upstate South Carolina area has becoming a major manufacturing site for European based corporations. Michelin Corporation and BMW Americas have invested over $5 billion and created over 8,000 jobs over the past 15 years in the Upstate area. Paggio's decision to locate in the Upstate area was partially due to the existing European manufacturing presence in the Upstate area.
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