A California-based defense parts manufacturer is the latest company to relocate its corporate headquarters to North Texas.

Integrated Defense Products, a private California-based CNC (computer numeric control) machine shop specializing in defense, firearm, and aerospace parts, will move into a yet-to-be-built 21,000-square-foot facility in the Rockwall Technology Park (RTP).

The company is making a $7 million investment to build the new headquarters on roughly 2.5 acres, with space enough for the company’s milling and turning machines, as well as dedicated areas for assembly, offices, common areas, and break rooms. City officials expect the project to be completed by the spring of 2023.

The move to the RTP off Interstate 30 had been in the works since October 2021 and is part of the technology park’s first development phase, according to Rockwall Economic Development Corp (REDC).

“We’ve been fortunate lately,” said Phil Wagner, president of REDC. “This is a move by a company that is really all in on what we have in this community.”

“We’re committed to making sure we can do everything we can to ensure” its success, he added.

The Rockwall-based headquarters will house 25 new hires from North Texas, including the company’s president and 12 employees from California who agreed to relocate. The company plans to have around 40 employees working at its new corporate headquarters.

The company chose Rockwall for its lower taxes and “business-friendly” environment. It was also considered an ideal place for its employees to find a home, especially compared to Southern California’s “astronomical” housing market, explained Brandon Buschold, president of Integrated Defense Products.

“There’s a lot of great opportunities to own a home, and that was something that we wanted for our people,” Buschold said.

In August, the city’s development corporation moved the RTP into its second phase. Phase two includes developing 210 acres for new businesses and more than 20 buildings that will house 21 separate companies.

Denton-based Links Construction is the general contractor for Integrated Defense Products’ new Rockwall facility.