United Space Coast Cables Partners with Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast

company manufactures complex cable assemblies and wire harnesses for military, medical and commercial customers

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – United Space Coast Cables is a small business with a large heart.

Devoted to his employees, the community and the business of manufacturing, owner Bryan Holm and his management team not only strive to create a working environment that nurtures employee job satisfaction and career growth, but they also have partnered with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast to raise awareness of the wealth of opportunities awaiting in the manufacturing sector.

“We want to be part of the solution to promote awareness of the opportunities of manufacturing,” said Holm, who in 2011 purchased what was a struggling company with 14 employees and has since carefully grown it to a diverse staff of 45.

United Space Coast Cables welcomes – and rewards – employees such as Matt Cromwell, a graduate of the Certified Production Technician Program, which the EDC sponsors at Eastern Florida State College.

The credentialing program, which targets newcomers such as Cromwell as well more experienced workers, is recognized by the industry as proof that the certified individual has mastered critical aspects of the manufacturing process and is serious about a career in the field.

Before joining United Space Coast Cables, Cromwell had floundered from job to job before being hired by USCC just two weeks after earning his CPT certification. Now he is definitely on an upwards trajectory at a company that has become his second home.

He started as an assistant to the warehouse manager at the West Melbourne facility, and quickly ascended to a warehouse supervisor position that also includes responsibilities in materials management, accounts payable and vendor and community interaction.

“I absolutely love it,” said the Palm Bay resident.

USCC’s healthy growth even during the pandemic reflects the manufacturing industry’s wellness, particularly in booming Brevard County.

“Brevard is loaded with manufacturing opportunities galore,” said Holm. “We’re 21 percent year-over-year and our backlog is an at an all-time high.”

The company manufactures complex cable assemblies and wire harnesses for military, medical and commercial customers that include Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris, Johnson & Johnson and Disney, for which USCC has been responsible for cable assembly on the Toy Story, Tower of Terror and Star Wars rides.

Holm is a strong proponent of managed growth by capping employee total at 75 and focusing only on Florida for customers.

“We do this by design,” he said. “We’re not driven by the metrics that other companies are.”

Staying small allows USCC to better connect with its employees.

“It would be difficult for us to compete for talent with larger companies, but we do by providing the type of benefits that other companies cannot provide because they lack the flexibility,” said president Kalen Krim, who joined USCC in 2013 from a position overseeing a $200 million budget for a Fortune 125 corporation.

The company reinvests every dollar into the company, its employees, equipment and processes.

“We make it clear to our customers and suppliers that our number one asset is our people,” said Holm.

To further level the playing field, USCC provides employees with benefits and working conditions that encourage a long relationship. The facility is spotless, bright and attractive.

Special events such as barbecues orchestrated and administered by management are part of the annual calendar. The company shuts down the week between Christmas and New Year’s to allow employees more time with their family. These little touches make for a happier workforce.

“People who work here enjoy working here,” said Andre Bessette, vice president of operations. “Everyone is relaxed but they work hard and we celebrate that.”

Employee demographics reveal a healthy diversity. Forty-nine percent of employees are female and approximately half are minorities. Two employees are from employU and four are “Promisers,” residents of Promise in Brevard, both nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities.

United Space Coast Cables represents the transformation that has occurred in the manufacturing industry. The days of working in dreary production lines in a miserable-looking environment are long gone.

“We stress that manufacturing is not just about working on a production line,” said Krim.

“There are a lot of opportunities, once you get your foot in the door.”

It can be a fulfilling career for any person, with good wages, job security, excellent benefits and challenging work. It is also a career that does not require a college degree…and the burden of thousands of dollars in school loans.

In fact, thanks to financial support from the State of Florida, the EDC and other sources, tuition for the Certified Production Technician Program is $675, and additional scholarships are available to further reduce those modest fees.

Holm praises the EDC for its efforts to promote careers in manufacturing through the CPT Program.

“It is so cool that the EDC and this county are so engaged in promoting manufacturing,” he said. “We’re extremely bullish on the potential of manufacturing.”

For more on United Space Coast Cables, visit unitedscc.com. For information on the Certified Production Technician Program, see manufacturinginbrevard.org/cpt

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