Manna Establishes First U.S. Metro Drone Delivery Hub in Tulsa
Irish Drone Delivery Company Expands Operations in the U.S.
Irish drone delivery company Manna has initiated its first full-scale metropolitan operation in the United States, selecting Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the base for its expansion. This move aims to support commercial drone delivery, establish a manufacturing presence in the U.S., and create over 1,000 jobs within the next three years.
The announcement signifies a significant milestone for Manna, which has been operating commercial drone delivery services in Europe and has completed nearly 380,000 deliveries globally. The Tulsa operation is expected to serve as a foundation for a broader rollout of drone delivery services across the United States.
Tulsa as Manna’s U.S. Headquarters
Manna will establish its central U.S. operational base in Tulsa, expanding its functions across aviation, manufacturing, maintenance, commercial operations, and customer support. The company also plans to manufacture drones in Tulsa to facilitate its growth in the U.S. market.
The recruitment initiative was spearheaded by Tulsa Local Ventures, an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, in collaboration with Tulsa Innovation Labs.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt commented on the significance of this investment, stating, “This is exactly what it looks like when Oklahoma competes and wins. Manna could have chosen anywhere in the country, and they chose Tulsa because we’ve built a business climate that supports innovation.”
Founded in Ireland in 2018, Manna specializes in the autonomous delivery of food, groceries, pharmacy products, and household items, utilizing drones that lower packages to customers using a tether instead of landing.
Manna’s Vision for U.S. Growth
The launch in Tulsa marks Manna’s first large-scale metropolitan operation in the United States. While the company plans to expand its American presence, it has emphasized that its headquarters and core research activities will remain in Ireland.
Bobby Healy, Founder and CEO of Manna, expressed pride in the company’s expansion, stating, “We’ve spent years developing one of the world’s most advanced drone delivery platforms in Ireland, and today we’re bringing that technology to the United States.” He noted that Tulsa’s approach to airspace and aviation is forward-looking and that the support from city officials has been exceptional.
The company aims to provide customers with deliveries in minutes through remotely monitored autonomous aircraft, with orders lowered to the ground on a tether.
Support from Local Aviation Ecosystem
Manna highlighted Tulsa’s growing advanced aviation ecosystem as a key factor in its decision to establish operations in the city. Tulsa Innovation Labs has positioned the region as a center for advanced air mobility and autonomous systems.
The organization is collaborating with federal partners on the Secure Autonomy Feedback and Evaluation Testbed (SAFE-T) initiative, which aims to create shared digital infrastructure for airspace awareness, traffic management, and weather monitoring to support commercial drone operations.
Jennifer Hankins, managing director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, stated, “The SAFE-T project will bridge critical gaps in the current testing and regulatory landscape.”
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols welcomed Manna’s investment, emphasizing the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation and opportunity.
Louie Napoleone, director of business recruitment at Tulsa Local Ventures, remarked on the project’s alignment with the region’s strategy to attract advanced technology companies.
Context: Manufacturing Trends in the U.S. Drone Market
Manna’s announcement aligns with a broader trend of international drone companies establishing manufacturing and operational capabilities in the United States. Federal policies have increasingly emphasized domestic production and trusted supply chains for commercial drone technology.
The investment in Tulsa reflects Manna’s commitment to building aircraft in Oklahoma for the U.S. market while continuing to invest in research, engineering, and product development in Ireland. If successful, the Tulsa operation could serve as a model for the company’s future expansion into additional American metropolitan areas.