GKN Aerospace, a unit of Melrose Industries PLC, said on Monday it would establish a $100 million claims program for residents and businesses affected by a May evacuation order at its Garden Grove, California facility.
The program, which excludes claims from emergency services agencies and potential civil enforcement penalties, will reimburse eligible parties for evacuation-related expenses including lodging, meals, transportation, lost wages and loss of use. The civil investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office remains open, while a related criminal probe has been closed without charges.
GKN Aerospace said it permanently decommissioned the tank involved in the incident and implemented safety upgrades at the facility. Operations were suspended in May, with the company targeting September 28 to resume full manufacturing at the site. A phased return to full capacity and customer deliveries is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, while the claims program is expected to launch in the coming weeks and remain open into 2027.
Melrose Industries previously addressed the incident in a July 31 update alongside its half-year results. The company’s insurance position regarding the claims remains under review.
