Local expertise: Critical Path Solutions LLC chosen as construction company for Skyeton Manufacturing renovations

By Faith Hatton, posted Sep 10, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

The CPS team has started making plans to reinvent the space to meet the needs of the new owners. Considerations are being made for power, water and security needs. Photo taken by Sarah Soucier, shared by Critical Path Solutions.

One of the Fayetteville area’s headline economic developments of 2026 has officially moved from announcement to action.

In July, it was announced that Skyeton, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Skyeton Holdings, a global manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the defense and commercial sectors had selected Fayetteville, N.C. as the location for its first manufacturing facility in North America.

Skyeton leadership have decided to look locally for a general contractor to head up major renovations for the 28,479-square-foot building they’ve selected as their new home.

Fayetteville-based Critical Path Solutions LLC (CPS) has been chosen as the primary contractor for bringing new life to the previous Black+Decker plant site located at 223 Dedication Drive in Fayetteville.

CPS, which has operated in Fayetteville since 2019, is no stranger to commercial projects that incorporate manufacturing. Previous projects include the Fayetteville, N.C. plant for Carpenter Contractors of America, Inc., building additions for Graphic Packaging International in Lumberton and more.

CPS Co-owner and Founder Delbert Soucier Jr. shared that like with much of the firm’s work, this new opportunity came from a positive word from someone they’ve worked with before.

“It was a reference from an outside source, someone that’s familiar with how we do things. We handle a lot of complex design-build projects, something with elevated security that has maybe some non-disclosure agreements or requirements, or some type of confidentiality,” shared Soucier.

He shared that it was that exact experience with confidential contracts, along with their list of government clientele that gave CPS a competitive edge. Skyeton’s new Fayetteville facility will support the development and manufacturing of advanced technologies designed to enhance the capabilities of military personnel, allied partners and first responders.

“One of CPS’s greatest strengths on this project is our single-point responsibility design-build model. Because our design and construction teams operate under one coordinated organization, we can limit unnecessary handoffs, control document distribution and provide each subcontractor only the information required for its specific scope,” said Soucier. “Our past work includes special projects supporting the 3rd Special Forces Group, Naval Special Warfare Center, Dell Technologies Federal and Thales in the FBI. That is what sets us apart with those projects and our experience has prepared our team to manage Skyeton’s technology and security requirements responsibly. I think it’s what sets us apart from other general contractors in our area, and it gives our clients the comfort that there is a local contractor that can handle those projects in Fayetteville.”

The company is planning to invest more than $3.1 million in Fayetteville to establish its first flagship manufacturing operation in the United States.

Early work has already begun to reinvent the space to meet the needs of the new owners.

“We’re moving through the design phase. What we’re doing right now on site is cleaning the area and evaluating it. Our design team has been out there to do dimensions. We’re clearing out some spaces to look above ceilings to see how wall make-ups are, what kind of infrastructure we have as far as utilities, power, water that’s on site, because of the fact that they will be doing manufacturing,” shared Soucier. “It’s already set up as heavy industrial, and so the infrastructure that’s in place, specifically for power, it’s already close to being adequate enough to be able to power all the equipment they’re going to need for their manufacturing.”

Soucier says that plans for new additions to the site include more hospitable elements, with upgrades that will include a new receptionist area, lobby and new executive offices and conference rooms. There are also plans for increased exterior lighting and security features.

“Skyeton is a military-grade drone manufacturing facility, so security is heightened. Because of what the facility is and Skyeton’s big major client is, of course, the U.S. Military, you can imagine you have senators, you’re going to have governors, heads of state, generals, maybe Secretary of State. So what you don’t want is someone walking through an area on the outside, and it needs to be improved. You need it to be dressed up,” shared Soucier.

An official timeline hasn’t been released on when construction is expected to wrap up.

The completed facility is expected to create 162 jobs with an average annual salary of $70,759 and invest a total of $3.4 million in real estate and equipment.

Learn more about CPS and their other projects at www.criticalpathsolutions.com.

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