Governor Rick Scott announced that Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) an Orlando headquartered corporation, will continue to expand its presence at U.S. Ambulance Corporation in Winter Park. The expansion will create 126 new jobs, in addition to 473 retained jobs, and create a capital investment in excess of $2 million.
Governor Scott said, “The expansion of this manufacturing facility is great news for families in Central Florida. The jobs created will give 126 more Florida families a chance to live the American Dream. Since December 2010, we have created more than 462,000 private-sector jobs and the unemployment rate is down to 6.2 percent, the lowest it’s been since June 2008. Last session we fought to build up Florida manufacturing by eliminating the tax on manufacturing equipment. As a result, manufacturers like ASV will have more resources to grow more jobs and expand.”
ASV began expanding the Winter Park operation in 2011 from its original name of Wheeled Coach Industries with the addition of the Road Rescue brand that moved from South Carolina. This current expansion is due to the recent acquisition of two additional ambulance brands, and is in addition to ASV establishing its corporate office in Baldwin Park in 2012, and the addition of the fire truck manufacturer E-ONE based Ocala in 2011. With this expansion, ASV will employ almost 1,300 team members statewide, with its Florida payroll in excess of $55 million.
“The expansion is necessary not only due to the recent acquisition of two additional ambulance manufacturers, but to support US Ambulances increased international sales and major municipal contracts for many of our nation’s cities,” said Peter Guile, CEO of ASV. “We appreciate the support of Governor Scott, the State of Florida and Winter Park as we expand our operations”.
U.S. Ambulance Corporation manufactures ambulances and rescue vehicles under the brands of Wheeled Coach, Road Rescue, McCoy Miller and Marque. The company is not only a leader in North America but exports to customers in the Caribbean Basin, South America, Middle East and Asia. The company has been based in Central Florida since 1976 and its commitment to the State of Florida continues.
Florida’s manufacturing sector has nearly 18,000 companies that employ more than 311,000 Floridians statewide. In addition, the state’s multicultural and multilingual workforce provides Florida manufacturers with an excellent advantage in conducting business overseas, accounting for 93 percent of Florida’s exports last year. To encourage additional manufacturing in the state, Governor Rick Scott along with the Florida legislature passed legislation eliminating sales tax on businesses purchasing manufacturing equipment. The new law goes into effect April 2014.
Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida Gray Swoope said, “US Ambulances decision to expand in Winter Park will add value to Florida’s extensive manufacturing industry. The removal of the M&E sales tax is already creating renewed interest in Florida as a location for manufacturers. News of that tax removal spread quickly and, when coupled with our strong workforce, low cost of living and quality life, makes it hard for businesses to pass up Florida when looking to locate or expand.”
This project was created with the help of close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
“We are pleased that ASV will be expanding its valuable manufacturing service in Winter Park to make it the largest of its kind in the nation. ASV’s decision to expand its facility reinforces our region’s position as a leading center for advanced manufacturing and will help to drive our prominence in the research and design of life-saving products,” said Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission President and CEO Rick Weddle.
“We are excited that ASV decided to expand in Winter Park. We are thankful for ASV’s continued support for and investment in the Winter Park workforce and community. Providing 126 jobs and creating a capital investment of more than $2 million will continue to strengthen Florida’s opportunity economy and our reputation as a global leader in exports,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Allied Specialty Vehicles ASV is a +$1.5 billion manufacturer comprised of industry leading brands serving Commercial, Fire & Emergency and Recreational vehicle markets. Within the Commercial segment ASV offers a full line of buses, terminal trucks and sweeper vehicles. The Fire & Emergency segment offers a full line of Fire Apparatus and Ambulances. Within the Recreational Vehicle the company produces motorized RV’s under many of the industry’s most iconic brands. For more information, visit us at www.alliedsv.com.