Embraer Adds 200 New Jobs In Melbourne
By Ed Pierce // March 22, 2012
Business
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – About 200 new jobs are on the way for Brevard County over the next five years, courtesy of the global aviation firm Embraer.
Embraer officials announced March 21 that it’s establishing the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA as part of its growing aeronautical presence in Melbourne.
“This is an important extension in the proud partnership that Embraer has enjoyed in the United States almost since our inception,” said Gary Spulak, President of Embraer North America at a press conference at the Hilton Rialto Hotel in Melbourne. “It is further evidence of our confidence in the US market and the strategic role it will play in our future.”
Skilled workers
Spulak said the main reason Melbourne was selected as the center site was because of its skilled labor force, the availability of land for a green field start-up, and its proximity to established Embraer operations there.
He also cited the company liked the pro-business climate in Florida, Brevard County and the city of Melbourne.
The new Embraer Engineering and Technology Center is going to conduct research and development activities for both product and technology development across Embraer’s business lines, with initial tasks focusing primarily on executive jet interiors.
Spulak said that will include creation of a laboratory for the development and testing of materials and interior items.
He said Embraer is planning on partnering with local universities and other schools in Florida to create programs of mutual benefit.
This will be the second Embraer research and development center established outside of the company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil.
Another new center will be constructed in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
New facility
The Center in Melbourne will be a state-of-the-art, 67,000-square-foot facility, Spulak said.
Construction is expected to begin soon and the Center will maintain temporary offices in Melbourne until the new facility is completed later this year.
The new center will be situated at Melbourne International Airport across General Aviation Drive from the 80,000-square-foot Embraer Phenom assembly facility and the 58,000-square-foot Embraer Executive Jets Customer Center.
Prior to the creation of the new center, Embraer had invested about $50 million in Melbourne and recently received the 2011 Impact Award by the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The award recognizes the contribution of aviation companies to the area’s economy and Embraer was singled out for the development of a final-assembly center for the company’s Phenom Executive Jets, as well as its new Embraer Executive Jets Customer Center.
Sweet music
The announcement by Embraer was music to the ears of state officials.
“Embraer’s continued investment in Florida is evidence we are doing the right things to attract job-growing businesses,” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott. “My 2012 Job Creation and Economic Development Agenda, which just passed the Legislature, will make Florida even more attractive to companies looking to move or expand in a business-friendly state like ours.”
