The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast (EDC) is pleased to announce that Archo Solutions Engineering USA will open its first U.S. facility at Melbourne International Airport as the company seeks to tap into American commercial and executive jet markets.
Archo, which has common ownership with Solutions Designs & Engineering of Sao Paolo, Brazil, will initially establish design & engineering and cables operations at its facility at the Florida Tech Research Park. Employing at least 50 people by 2016, these segments center on the development of concepts and design engineering solutions for projects in aeronautical, automotive and naval sectors, and the production of cabling, avionics racks, electrical boxes, panels and wire harnesses.
"Archo looked at many sites in the U.S. but has chosen Brevard County, and Melbourne specifically, mostly because of its community and the offer of qualified high-tech personnel," said Ivan Avila, Archo's chief operations officer. "The Melbourne aerospace cluster plays a major role in the aeronautics, defense and aviation segments internationally and Archo will position itself to further this role."
Additional Archo operations, including consultancy and project management, as well as growth in the established segments, could generate more jobs and increased capital investment in the future, the company said.
The EDC, along with the Florida Institute of Technology and Melbourne International Airport, worked to build a compelling case to bring Archo to Brevard County.
"Archo is an outstanding addition to our increasingly diverse economy in general, and our burgeoning aviation sector in particular," said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "Its choice to open its first North American operation on the Space Coast reinforces the international status our aviation industry has and continues to develop."
Archo was also considering other sites in Florida and Texas before ultimately choosing the Space Coast. The success here of Brazilian jet maker Embraer S.A., which was the first and biggest customer of Solutions Design & Engineering in Brazil, also contributed to the company's decision.
"Archo Solution's decision to come to the Florida Tech Research Park at the Melbourne International Airport shows what can be accomplished when our community teams together," said John Thomas, assistant vice president for economic development and community affairs at Florida Tech. "The EDC, airport, City of Melbourne, our elected officials, and FIT all worked hand in hand to first bring this cutting-edge company here, and to make their expansion from Brazil as seamless as possible. This is a significant step in our efforts to build an international aviation-aerospace community here in Melbourne."
The 2,400-acre research park was developed by Florida Tech in partnership with Melbourne International Airport.
The new jobs will pay an average of $50,000, and the company will invest more than $1 million in equipment at its new home at 1135 NASA Blvd. on airport property. The company was awarded ad valorem tax abatements from Brevard County and the City of Melbourne, as well as state incentives.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida's Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.