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Heven Expands Pacific Northwest Operations With State-Of-The-Art Hydrogen-Powered Drone Facility
The Columbia River Gorge has long been a hub for innovation and technological advancement. On Tuesday, Zepher Flight Labs (ZFL), now a key part of Heven’s expanding U.S. operations, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new facility in downtown Bingen. The event drew community leaders, state officials, and industry partners to honor both ZFL’s legacy and its future at the forefront of hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development.
This milestone marks not only ZFL’s enduring legacy of engineering excellence in unmanned aerial systems but also Heven’s drive to elevate sustainable, hydrogen-powered UAV development. The new facility at 317 W. Steuben Street will serve as a regional hub for advanced drone design, production, and integration, advancing the Columbia River Gorge as a national center for unmanned systems.
For ZFL, this new site represents more than just a new address – it’s a continuation of the company’s remarkable journey and a bold step into the future. “This new site represents more than just a new address—it’s a continuation of ZFL’s remarkable journey and a bold step into the future,” said Adam Stolz, CEO of ZFL. “We’re proud to build on ZFL’s foundation of engineering excellence and help accelerate the transition to hydrogen-powered flight.”
Heven’s vision is to redefine what’s possible with hydrogen-powered, runway-independent drones – building platforms that adapt to mission needs without compromising on endurance or sustainability. According to Bentzion Levinson, CEO & Founder of Heven, “At Heven, we’re focused on solving real-world problems with next-generation technology. Our vision is to redefine what’s possible with hydrogen-powered, runway-independent drones—building platforms that adapt to mission needs without compromising on endurance or sustainability.”
The company’s commitment to equipping the battlefield with tools that not only answer the urgent needs of today and emerging threats but also redefine tomorrow’s defense capabilities is evident in its approach. The new facility in Bingen represents a tangible step toward this future, solidifying ZFL’s role in supporting regional job creation and strengthening the local tech economy.
Klickitat County’s economy has increasingly leaned on manufacturing – especially drone-related activity – to fuel growth. Between 2015 and 2018, manufacturing contributed 670 of the 920 net new jobs added to the county, making it a cornerstone sector. The Bingen facility expects to add an additional 20 jobs to their workforce before the end of the year, further underscoring the impact of this development on the local community.
The significance of ZFL’s presence in downtown Bingen cannot be overstated. As a regional hub for advanced drone design, production, and integration, the new facility will not only drive innovation but also create opportunities for collaboration between industry partners, academia, and government agencies. This synergy is essential for advancing the development of hydrogen-powered UAVs and addressing the complex challenges associated with their deployment.
The event drew a diverse group of attendees, including community leaders, state officials, and industry partners. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a tour of portions of the new facility, where attendees had the opportunity to view ZFL’s cutting-edge technology, including the company’s flagship UAV, the Z1 Group 2 VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) drone.
Speakers at the event highlighted the potential of hydrogen-powered UAVs to transform various industries, from defense and surveillance to environmental monitoring and disaster response. As Warren Brown, Heven Chief Marketing Officer, noted, “The possibilities are endless when it comes to deploying drones that can operate for hours or even days without recharging, thanks to our advanced hydrogen power systems.”
The new facility in Bingen represents a significant step forward for Heven’s mission of sustainability and performance through hydrogen-powered platforms. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with these innovative drones, it is clear that its presence in downtown Bingen will have far-reaching consequences for the region’s economy, innovation ecosystem, and environmental sustainability.
By solidifying ZFL’s role in supporting regional job creation and strengthening the local tech economy, this development is poised to have a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest. As the region continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see how ZFL’s innovative technology adapts to emerging challenges and opportunities, further cementing its position as a driving force behind sustainable innovation in the region.