The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced RUAG’s selection of Brevard County for its RUAG Space USA Inc. production facility in Titusville. RUAG Space USA Inc., a supplier of spacecraft structural and thermal equipment, will operate at the Port Canaveral Titusville Logistic Center.
“The aerospace industry is undergoing a disruptive transformation,” explains Peter Guggenbach, CEO of RUAG Space USA Inc. “In what’s known as the new space segment, innovative start-ups and private investors are developing new commercial business models for aerospace applications. We want to be a competitive player in this segment too. The current order from Airbus OneWeb Satellites proves that we’re on the right path,” he says.
The company will begin with 10 employees in 2017 at an average wage of $50,261 and may ultimately reach 60 full-time workers by 2025.
The EDC worked closely with RUAG to communicate the competitive advantages of a Brevard County location by presenting the best business case and meeting significant requirements. In addition, the EDC guided the company through the State and North Brevard Economic Development Zone incentive programs.
“RUAG Space USA Inc. is a leading supplier of space products within the European space market,” stated Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “Competition across the space industry breeds excellence and RUAG’s selection of Titusville for their U.S. production facility, further strengthens Brevard County’s standing as a premier location for aerospace businesses throughout the world.”
“RUAG Space USA Inc. is a strong addition to Florida’s aerospace industry and we welcome them and their global expertise to the Space Coast,” said Enterprise Florida Executive Vice President, Mike Grissom. “Florida is a pioneering state for aerospace and continues to be the home of innovation for the industry, thanks to the more than 85,000 Floridians who work in the industry.”
“Space Florida is excited to welcome RUAG to the State of Florida and Brevard County,” said Frank DiBello, president and CEO of Space Florida. “Our state’s iconic space legacy is ever-expanding as RUAG will play a key role within a growing supply chain for the aerospace and satellite industry here in Florida. We look forward to being a partner in RUAG’s success, and continuing to work with the community on Florida’s Space Coast to further solidify Florida as a world leader in aerospace.”
“The transformation happening in North Brevard is because of the vision and mission of the North Brevard Economic Development Zone and the partnership with the EDC,” stated Robert Jordan, secretary, North Brevard Economic Development Zone. “The goal of NBEDZ is to ensure North Brevard maintains economic sustainability for years to come. Our regional strength has been demonstrated in just two years capturing over 1,200 jobs with an average annual wage of $62,000 and $300M in capital investments from a broad base of industries and services.”
“The North Brevard area is filled with opportunity for businesses looking to expand and relocate here,” stated Commissioner Rita Pritchett. “I look forward to maintaining the level of success the NBEDZ has had to establish North Brevard as a pro-business friendly region throughout the nation.”
RUAG Space USA Inc. plans to start manufacturing the satellite structures early next year.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast EDC) 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.
About RUAG Space
RUAG Space is Europe’s leading supplier of space products to the industry. With 1,200 people employed at 10 locations in Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Finland and the USA the RUAG Space Division achieved some total sales of 310 million Swiss Francs in 2015. RUAG develops and markets internationally sought-after technology applications in the fields of aerospace and defense for use on land, in the air and in space. 55 percent of RUAG's products and services are destined for the civil market and 45 percent for the military market. The Group is headquartered in Berne, Switzerland. It has production sites in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Australia and the USA. Around 8,200 employees – of whom 410 are trainees – generate sales of some CHF 1.75 billion. Contact Hendrik Thielemann, Hendrik.thielemann@ruag.com.