| Manatee
County |
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| Recently Assisted
Expansions/Relocations |
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| Overview |
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| While
the headlines have been full of gloom and doom scenarios about the economy, a
host of diverse businesses providing higher-than-average-wage jobs has been
quietly expanding in Manatee County. Most serve global markets and either
create or use technology, thus demanding the knowledge workers who tend to
command a higher wage. Their diversity of industries and markets bodes well
for Manatee County’s long-term economic future. See a sampling of companies
below. |
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| Companies
on the Move - 2013 |
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| Mercedes Medical |
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| February
14, 2013 Mercedes
Medical, an international distributor of laboratory and medical products, is
expanding its Bradenton area facility and plans to add 47 new jobs over the
next five years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president and chief executive
officer of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC). |
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| The
company, which located in the Bradenton area in 1993, is leasing and
renovating the former Merita Bakery building at 1073 Tallevast Road in South
Manatee County to house a 4,800-square-foot call center for telesales. The
location is adjacent to Mercedes’ main facility where the company employs 64. |
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| The
company’s primary market divisions – Clinical Lab and Histology Lab – serve
more than 7,000 customers in labs, hospitals and the physician marketplace
throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Mercedes’ sales for
2012 exceeded $25 million. |
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| “Our
sales have been growing 10 percent annually, and this expansion will allow us
to double our sales force to 50 team members, in addition to adding other
support positions,” said Mercedes Chief Executive Officer Alex Miller. “Our
goal for 2013 is $30 million in revenue, and $50 million by the end of 2015.” |
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| “The
Bradenton Area EDC has worked with Mercedes Medical on the company’s previous
growth initiatives,” Hillstrom said. “A fine employer with an impressive
track record for both revenue growth and community involvement, Mercedes has
proven that the Bradenton area is an excellent location for businesses
serving national and international health care markets.” |
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| To
accelerate Mercedes’ expansion and hiring, the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners qualified Mercedes to receive up to $111,000 in
performance-based incentives as the company adds 47 quality jobs, at or above
115% of the local area wage of $35,633, over the next five years. The county
also is assisting Mercedes with expedited permitting through the rapid
response program. |
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| “Performance-based
incentives, judiciously applied, are an important tool that the Manatee Board
of County Commissioners can use to help spur job creation for local
residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Whether it’s a
business from another state or country, or a local business like Mercedes
Medical, Manatee County is ready with solutions in a business-friendly
environment that encourages job growth.” A list of Manatee County's economic
development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Motorworks
Brewing |
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| February
13, 2013 The
City of Bradenton gave the go-ahead today for Motorworks Brewing to create a
full-production craft brewery, taproom and beer garden near downtown
Bradenton. The business is slated to add 30 new jobs over the next five
years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president and chief executive officer
of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC). |
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| “Located
mid-way between the new downtown Riverwalk and McKechnie Field, the brewery
is adjacent to the Village of the Arts, only two blocks from a new public
parking garage and easily accessible to downtown,” said Denise Tschida. “In
addition to a full-production brewery eventually distributing product across
the United States, we plan to create a tourist destination featuring brewery
tours, a taproom for tasting and a beer garden. Motorworks Brewing will be a
popular draw along this exciting, growing corridor.” |
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| “Motorworks
Brewing is poised to become part of the exciting story of Bradenton’s
revitalization,” Hillstrom said. “The EDC was able to bring together all the
players who were essential to helping this business locate in Bradenton and
invest in our community.” |
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| The
EDC assisted the company in working with the city and Manatee County
Government on permitting and performance-based incentives for the new
business, which is owned by Denise and Frank Tschida. The brewery will be
located in an existing building the Tschidas are purchasing at 1014 9th
Street West. The location is between downtown Bradenton and McKechnie Field,
where the Pittsburgh Pirates hold spring training games and the Bradenton
Marauders’ summer Minor League season. It is adjacent to the Village of the
Arts and is within the 14th Street Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). |
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| The Tschidas plan to open the taproom this spring with the
brewery operation following by fall of this year. To accelerate the brewery’s
renovation and hiring, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved
$30,000 in performance-based incentives as the company adds 30 jobs at or
above 115% of the local area wage of $35,633, over the next five years. |
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| “The
estimated economic impact of the brewery in Bradenton over the next five
years is expected to reach $1.8 million – contributing significantly to the
14th
Street CRA,” said David Gustafson, executive director of Bradenton’s Downtown
Development Authority. |
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| “The Manatee Board of County Commissioners was pleased
to join with the City of Bradenton on this project to create manufacturing
jobs, promote tourism and generate positive economic activity in an area
targeted for redevelopment,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator.
“Our entire community benefits as downtown Bradenton and other centers of
economic activity in the county attract and retain businesses that provide
good jobs for local residents.” A list of Manatee County's economic
development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Radiant Power Corp. |
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| January
16, 2103 Radiant
Power Corp., designer and producer of power and sensor products for
commercial aviation and marine, will expand its Manatee County facility for
the second time in less than a year, which will lead to 16 new jobs during
the next two years. |
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| Governor
Scott said, “Every job created helps a Florida family, and Radiant Power’s
progress is more proof that Florida is headed in the right direction. Since
December of 2010, our state has created over 200,000 private-sector jobs.
Though we’ve made great progress, our work is not done until every Floridian
who wants a job has the opportunity to get one.” |
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| With
business operations in the county since 1999, Radiant Power expanded its
South Manatee facility last year to accommodate a larger engineering team for
developing new products and added production space for a business it
relocated from Hatsfield, Penn. The
current expansion will add 4,000 square feet to the 27,000-square-foot
facility as the company integrates another product line being relocated from
St. Charles, Ill. |
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| Radiant
Power’s products are underwater locator beacons that are used to locate
aircraft cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, marine ship
voyage recorders and various other devices which have been submerged under
water. The beacons are required
equipment on all Federal Aviation Administration-approved recorders used in
aircraft, and on similar systems used on large marine shipping vessels. |
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| “This
is our second expansion in less than a year, and we would not be able to grow
our production and workforce at this rate without expedited assistance from
the EDC [economic development corporation], Manatee County Government and the
State of Florida,” said Anish Patel, president of Radiant Power. “This latest expansion requires a capital
investment of more than $650,000, which demonstrates our confidence in being
able to deliver to global markets from our Manatee County location.” |
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Radiant
Power’s past and future economic impact on the area is acknowledged by the
Manatee County EDC. “Radiant Power has
a proven track record in our community for capital investment and job
creation,” said Sharon Hillstrom, the EDC’s president & CEO.
“The company’s continued growth in Manatee County demonstrates the
Bradenton area’s viability as a location for aviation and avionics-related
manufacturing.”
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| For
its expansion project, Radiant Power has been approved for a state Qualified
Target Industry incentive of $80,000, a tax refund that is paid after job and
other contractual requirements are met.
It includes a $16,000 match from the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners. The average annual wage of Radiant Power’s 16 new jobs will
pay 15 percent more than the county’s average yearly wage. |
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| Partnering
to bring this project to fruition were Enterprise Florida Inc., Manatee
County Board of County Commissioners and Manatee County EDC. |
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| “The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is focused on providing a
business-friendly environment that spurs job creation for local residents,”
said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Carefully applying performance-based
incentives and expediting permitting, where appropriate, are tools that give
Manatee County an edge in competing for business expansion.” |
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| It Works Global |
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| January 16, 2013 International direct sales company It Works
Global will relocate and expand its corporate headquarters with the purchase
of Riverside Plaza on the riverfront in downtown Palmetto, Fla., according to
Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, speaking for the city and its
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). |
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| “The
City of Palmetto’s redevelopment plan is in full swing with the addition of
our newest corporate partner, It Works Global,” Bryant said. “The jobs and
increase to the tax base will help spur even more private investment and
encourage our local restaurants and businesses on the north side of the
Manatee River." |
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| In
2012, It Works Global was ranked as one of the fastest growing U.S. companies
nationwide by Inc. 500. The company moved to Manatee County in 2011 with
assistance from the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (EDC), Manatee County
Government and the State of Florida. The business currently has 59 employees
and growing in Manatee County, with over 40,000 independent distributors
around the world. |
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| “With
the purchase of the new building and expanding our corporate headquarters in
Palmetto, we are so excited to have the ability to completely renovate the
space to become an innovative office that embraces our youthful and energetic
corporate culture,” said Mark Pentecost, chief executive officer of It Works
Global. “Between Stoneybrook Golf Club in Bradenton and now our headquarters
in Palmetto, we are looking forward to sharing Manatee County with our
employees, guests, and independent distributors.” |
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| "The
EDC maintains close relationships with companies we assist, and we worked
with It Works Global to identify opportunities to expand their corporate
headquarters here in Manatee County,” said Sharon Hillstrom, president and
chief executive officer of the EDC.
“The Riverside Plaza property and the Palmetto CRA's redevelopment
plans seemed like a natural fit. We made the connection between the two, and
they closed the deal. We are excited to see this dynamic company grow in our
community." |
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| "Under
Sharon Hillstrom, the EDC has really embraced all of Manatee County,"
said Jeff Burton, Palmetto CRA director. "They have worked very hard for
all of us." |
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| It
Works Global has been awarded a Downtown Commercial Core Redevelopment
Incentive package from the CRA and has used EPA environmental assessment
grants made available through the Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO). The building, located in the newly created Palmetto
Economic Enhancement District, allows It Works Global to apply for state
economic brownfield incentives. |
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| The
CRA encourages local vendor opportunities through its incentive packages.
Palmetto architectural firm Moore 2 Design is designing the It Works Global
redevelopment project. |
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| Companies
on the Move - 2012 |
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| JRL Enterprises |
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| October
30, 2012 Cape
Coral-based JRL Enterprises Inc. plans to purchase the former Wellcraft
manufacturing facility in South Manatee County to expand the composite
tool-making business of an affiliated business, JRL Ventures Inc. The
expansion is projected to create 80 new jobs over three years, according to
Sharon Hillstrom, president and chief executive officer of the Manatee
Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). |
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| “The
former Wellcraft facility has been sitting idle since 2008 when the marine
manufacturing operation was moved,” Hillstrom said. “We are pleased to work
with Bob Long, whose engineering and custom composite manufacturing business
will bring this large property back to life with high-impact jobs.” Long, who worked as president of Wellcraft
in Manatee County from 1976 through the 1980s, is the owner and chief
executive officer of JRL Enterprises, its affiliate, JRL Ventures
(www.jrlventuresinc.com), and an associated business, Marine Concepts
(www.marineconcepts.com). When Long and his wife, Karen, purchased Marine
Concepts in 1994, the company had 15 employees. Today it has 135. The
companies provide highly sophisticated design engineering and manufacturing
of composite-material plugs and molds used by other manufacturers to create
parts and products. The companies’ work is used in a wide array of finished
products, such as flight simulators, boats and even rocket parts such as nose
cones for NASA. |
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| “We
are busting at the seams at our current locations in Cape Coral and Pine
Island,” Long said. “We searched in Lee County for an appropriate facility
and considered out-of-state opportunities, but we ultimately turned to
Manatee County where I had worked for so long. The former Wellcraft facility
has the elements we need, such as size, ventilation and some necessary
equipment. It’s virtually ready to house our expanded operations right away,
which is essential to our meeting production schedules for our customers.” |
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| “Thankfully,
Florida was able to accommodate JRL’s expansion needs, which has positioned
the state for 80 new jobs,” said Enterprise Florida President & CEO Gray
Swoope. “The teamwork and commitment
to supporting JRL that was demonstrated in this project reflects our state’s
business-friendly culture.” Manatee
County Government, Enterprise Florida and the Manatee Economic Development
Corporation were among the partners who helped to bring this expansion to
fruition. |
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In
addition to purchasing the property, Long says the company is purchasing an
additional, large 5-Axis CNC robotic router that will operate at the new
Manatee County location at a cost of almost $1 million installed. The
substantial capital investment the company will make in buying the property
and additional equipment, combined with the potential for creating 80 new
jobs and preserving at least 120 existing Florida jobs, qualified JRL
Ventures for state and county economic development incentives. The State of
Florida has committed $192,000, while Manatee County Government approved up
to $48,000 in performance-based incentives. To qualify for the incentives,
the company must create 80 jobs over three years with an average annual wage
of at least $34,556, which is equivalent to the county average. The project
also qualified for the state’s “brownfield” program, which could provide up
to $160,000 in sales tax rebates as a preexisting environmental condition is
cured. Potential job candidates should
monitor the company’s website at www.marineconcepts.com and send resumes to
info@marineconcepts.com, or apply in person at 1651 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota
(Manatee County) 34243.
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| “The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is focused on maintaining a
business-friendly environment that invites private-sector job creation,” said
Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Appropriate use of economic
development incentives for qualified projects helps Manatee County
successfully compete as a location for growth industries that provide higher
wage jobs.” A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is
available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Air Products |
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| July
26, 2012 Drawn
by Port Manatee and regional workforce training services, Fortune 300 global
industrial gases company Air Products (NYSE: APD) plans to create 250 new
manufacturing jobs over five years at a major facility in Manatee County,
according to Sharon Hillstrom, president and chief executive officer of the
Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC).
“This project has been several months in the making with collaboration
from numerous agencies of government, as well as regional workforce training
providers,” Hillstrom said. “The company’s need to be near a deep-water port
and to train the new employees it will require for highly specialized
manufacturing gave Manatee County the edge over competing communities for
these high-impact jobs.” |
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| Air
Products (www.airproducts.com) plans to purchase 30 acres at Eastport
Industrial Park in Palmetto near Port Manatee. The company plans a
300,000-square-foot facility to manufacture equipment that processes natural
gas into liquid form for easier transport to markets. The company, which has
a similar facility in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., will use Port Manatee to ship the
large machines worldwide. “Air
Products investigated potential locations in the East Coast and Gulf Coast
regions, looking for the right combination of deep-water port access and
workforce availability,” said Sandy McLauchlin, general manager at the
company’s Wilkes-Barre facility. “The Manatee EDC was instrumental in
identifying possible properties that would meet our requirements. Both local
and state government officials have also been very supportive of our efforts
in Manatee County. They offered a number of programs to assist Air Products
in assessing possible sites and supporting a tight schedule for
construction.” |
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| The
substantial capital investment the company will make in its facility and
equipment, combined with the potential for job creation, qualified Air
Products for state and county economic development incentives. The State of
Florida has committed $1.75 million, while Manatee County Government approved
up to $680,000 in performance-based incentives. The county also approved a
transportation impact fee incentive estimated at $46,876. To qualify for the
incentives, the company must create 250 jobs over five years with an annual
average wage that is approximately 25 percent higher than the county average. |
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| “Air
Products’ investment in Florida demonstrates our success in recruiting
job-producing companies that strengthen our economy as well as our business
climate,” said Governor Rick Scott.
“This expansion is welcome news for Manatee County and our state as a
whole.” In addition to the
government-funded incentives, Air Products qualified for FPL's new economic
development rate, designed to help attract new companies to the state of
Florida, as part of the incentive package. The program reduces Air Products'
base electric rate for four years and could generate significant savings for
the company. |
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CareerEdge
pledged $100,000 for Air Products’ new employees to receive customized
training in welding at Manatee Technical Institute. CareerEdge is a private,
non-profit, regional workforce funders’ collaborative that works to align
training with the needs of employers in selected industries, such as
manufacturing. In addition to the
company’s capital investment and job creation, Air Products’ ongoing need for
services at Port Manatee made the project even more attractive as a boon to
the local economy, Hillstrom said. Port officials and the Manatee EDC have
been eyeing this potential since the county created an incentive zone around
the port, and the port’s facilities have been expanded and upgraded.
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“This
is one of the most substantial job-generating projects the Manatee Board of
County Commissioners has considered for economic development incentives,”
said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “The scope of investment the
company is making in our community, the jobs to be created, the higher wage
level and the company’s ongoing need for Port Manatee’s services will make
Air Products a valuable addition to our economy.” A list of Manatee County's
economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. With
annual sales of approximately $10 billion in fiscal 2011, Air Products has
more than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries. The company produces
semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas
liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives.
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| Orbeco-Hellige Inc. |
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| July
16, 2012 Orbeco-Hellige
Inc., which manufactures instruments and products for testing water and
wastewater, is expanding operations at its existing Manatee County facility
and plans to add seven jobs over five years, according to Sharon Hillstrom,
president & CEO of the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). The company, which moved its U.S.
operations to Manatee County from Long Island in 2008, will convert warehouse
space at the 16,000-square-foot facility in South Manatee County to
accommodate a testing lab and additional production. The Manatee Board of
County Commissioners approved $14,000 in performance-based incentives to
facilitate the project. The seven jobs that Orbeco-Hellige plans to add will
pay 50 percent more on average than the county average wage. |
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| The
U.S. subsidiary of Tintometer GmbH of Germany, Orbeco-Hellige
(www.orbeco.com) produces instruments for water analysis and products that
measure color in water. The water analysis instruments serve the municipal
and industrial water and wastewater markets, and the color products serve
primarily the edible oil and petroleum markets. The company’s worldwide
markets include industry, public health, science and medicine. “We are the center for sales, service and
support for North and South America for our parent company. The Manatee
County, Florida location allows us to easily support our core regions and
provides a great quality of life for our employees,” said Brad Martell,
president at Orbeco-Hellige. |
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| “The
Manatee EDC helped us considerably with both our relocation from New York in
2008, as well as with this recent expansion,” Martell said. ”They assisted us
with applying for incentives, finding and training new employees, and
connecting us to the local business community. Manatee County Government
assisted us with rapid response permitting and incentives for job
creation.” “When Orbeco-Hellige moved
to Manatee County, the company expected to hire eight employees locally, and
today has 11 full-time employees,” Hillstrom said. “The knowledge-based jobs
the company is adding with this production expansion are the kind of
high-impact jobs that, along with other growing companies, will help fuel
economic recovery.” |
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| “When
the Manatee Board of County Commissioners established the economic
development incentive program, their intent was to help accelerate job
creation in the community,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator.
“Because the grants are performance-based, companies must follow through on
their commitments to hire and retain employees at a certain wage level.” A
list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Bioni USA and Americas LLC |
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July
11, 2012 Bioni
USA and Americas LLC -- a distributor of advanced coatings for walls, roofs
and ceilings -- is consolidating its U.S. operations at a single location in
Manatee County and plans to add 28 jobs over five years, according to Sharon
Hillstrom, president & CEO of the Manatee Economic Development Corp.
(MEDC). The company will combine its
current distribution operation located in Palmetto with a Sarasota
headquarters and sales office at a 1,950-square-foot facility in South
Manatee County. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved $56,000 in
performance-based incentives to facilitate the project. The 28 jobs that
Bioni USA and Americas plans to add will pay 50 percent more on average than
the county average wage.
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Based
in Germany, Bioni has developed a U.S. patented, non-toxic environmentally
safe coating that can permanently prevent mold, mildew, drug resistant
bacteria (MRSA, VRE), and other harmful micro-organisms -- such as E. Coli
and Listeria -- from growing on the Bioni-coated walls, ceilings and doors.
Bioni’s exterior wall and roof products provide the same protection, along
with heat deflection properties that can save up to 38 percent on energy
costs, said Kevin Hanley, managing director and partner for Bioni USA and
Americas LLC (www.Bioni-USA.com). “The
efficiency we will gain from having more space and bringing our U.S.
headquarters and distribution under one roof will help us meet increasing
demand for the cutting-edge Bioni products we import from Germany,” Hanley
said. “Local incentives will help expedite our consolidation and expansion,
as well as the hiring and training of additional employees.”
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| Bioni’s
Palmetto and Sarasota facilities currently employ four.. The company should
be operating in its new location by August.
Job candidates may contact Bioni USA at 941-926-5881 for more
information after Aug. 12. “Because
one of the company’s existing locations is in Sarasota, we worked with our
economic development colleagues in Sarasota County to keep this growing
enterprise with international ties in our region,” Hillstrom said. The MEDC
assisted the company with its site search and in applying for county
incentives and rapid response permitting.
“Carefully applied incentives and rapid response permitting can help
accelerate job growth for local residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County
administrator. “The Manatee Board of County Commissioners is intensely
focused on this mission.” A list of Manatee County's economic development
incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev |
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| Radiant Power Corp. |
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| July 9, 2012 Radiant
Power Corp. -- a leading designer and maker of backup power and cabin power
management products for commercial aviation -- is expanding its Manatee
County facility and plans to add 26 jobs over five years, according to Sharon
Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). The company, which located in Manatee
County in 1999, will expand by 6,300 square feet its 20,000-square-foot
facility in South Manatee County. The expansion will accommodate an expanded
engineering team for developing new products, as well as more production
space necessitated by the purchase of a business that Radiant Power is
relocating from Hatsfield, Penn. The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved $26,000 in performance-based
incentives and an estimated $1,343 in transportation impact fee incentives to
facilitate the project. The 26 jobs that Radiant Power plans to add will pay
15 percent more on average than the county average wage. |
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| A
wholly-owned subsidiary of HEICO Corp., Radiant Power
(www.radiantpowercorp.com) designs and manufactures custom power supplies,
inverters and lighting controls for aviation applications. Radiant Power’s
products are on all production models of Boeing aircraft, as well as numerous
regional jets and business jets. “With
assistance from the Manatee EDC and Manatee County Government, we will be
able to accelerate our expansion and hiring, which enables us to meet growing
demand as the aviation sector continues to recover from the recession,” Patel
said. “We have already filled two engineering positions and anticipate adding
production staff before the end of the year.”
Radiant Power currently employs 64 team members in Manatee County. Job
candidates may send their resumes or inquiries to
hr@radiantpowercorp.com. |
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| “It
is encouraging to see Manatee County’s aviation sector expanding again,”
Hillstrom said. “The knowledge-based jobs that predominate in manufacturing
related to aviation and avionics tend to pay higher wages.” The MEDC assisted
the company in applying for county incentives and rapid response permitting
for the expansion project. “The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners recognizes that having a
business-friendly reputation is a key to attracting business expansion and
relocation,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “We are
reinforcing that reputation by judiciously applying job-creation incentives
and expediting the permitting process when appropriate.” A list of Manatee
County's economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Sun Hydraulics Corp. |
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| May
15, 2012 Sun
Hydraulics Corp. (NASDAQ: SNHY) has started construction on a
78,000-square-foot manufacturing facility adjacent to its existing operations
in South Manatee County, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president of the
Manatee Economic Development Corp. The expansion – Sun’s third manufacturing
facility in the Manatee-Sarasota region – could lead to 361 new jobs over the
next five years, potentially bringing Sun’s total employment in the region to
over 1,000. In 2011, Sun Hydraulics
completed construction on improvements to utilities to serve the existing
building at 701 Tallevast Road and the new building at 803 Tallevast.
Combined capital investment for the utilities project and the new
manufacturing facility is estimated at $19 million. Also in 2011, Sun
renovated its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Sarasota County at a
cost of approximately $1.5 million. |
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| “We
have begun site work for a third factory in the local Manatee-Sarasota area
and expect capital spending of approximately $6 million in 2012 related to
the building,” stated Allen Carlson, Sun’s CEO and president. “We look
forward to the additional capacity being completed in mid-2013.” Sun Hydraulics designs and manufactures
high performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds which are
used to control force, speed and motion as integral components in fluid power
systems. Sun’s products allow machine designers to develop innovative and
efficient control systems for all types of capital goods. Sun’s customers are
located across the globe. The company has approximately 900 total employees
around the world, approximately 700 of which are located in Manatee-Sarasota. |
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| “By
adding a third facility in the Manatee-Sarasota area, Sun Hydraulics proves
the viability of our region as a location for specialty manufacturers with a
global reach,” Hillstrom said. The MEDC collaborated with Manatee County
Government for economic development incentives and the rapid response
permitting program. Sun qualified for
a total of $396,420 in performance-based incentives from Manatee County
Government, as well as an estimated $76,580 in transportation impact fee
incentives. The incentives are based on the company’s adding 361 jobs over
five years at an average annual salary that is 15 percent higher than the
county average. “Sun Hydraulics has
been an excellent corporate citizen and employer in Manatee County for many
years, and this latest expansion signals the company’s ongoing commitment to
this region,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “The Manatee
Board of County Commissioners is dedicated to accelerating the pace of job
growth in the community. Performance-based incentives and a business-friendly
approach are essential to this effort.” A list of Manatee County's economic
development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Veethree Electronics & Marine LLC |
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| May 10, 2012 Veethree Electronics & Marine LLC, OEM
supplier of mechanical and electronic instrumentation, has purchased a new,
larger manufacturing facility in south Manatee County and plans to add 20
jobs to the current staff of 65 by 2015, according to Sharon Hillstrom,
president of the Manatee Economic Development Corporation. “Consistent growth over the years, coupled
with the successful launch of new products, has enabled Veethree to commit
and expand the breadth of our operations by purchasing a state of the art
manufacturing facility in Bradenton, Florida,” said Steve Nelson, Veethree
product manager. “Participating in state and local economic development
incentives and Manatee County’s rapid response permitting program will allow
us to accelerate our move to the new facility and expand production to meet
customer demand.” |
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved $12,000 in performance-based
incentives, and the State of Florida committed $48,000 to accelerate the
company’s hiring and capital investment. In addition, the company qualified
for expedited permitting from Manatee County Government to renovate the new
location, a 52,000-square-foot facility at 2050 47th Terrace East in
Bradenton. "Veethree Electronics’
expansion continues a positive trend of manufacturing growth in Manatee
County,” said Gray Swoope, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the
state’s lead economic development organization. “The expansion is helping us
strengthen the state’s manufacturing base, and we value Veethree as a
business partner and community supporter.” |
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| Founded
in 1976, Veethree (www.v3instruments.com) has a worldwide presence as an OEM,
defense and aftermarket supplier of instrumentation, clusters, sensors and
switches. In 2009, Veethree located its global engineering headquarters in
Manatee County through acquiring the assets of the Gauge Division of Teleflex
Inc. that closed operations in Lakewood Ranch. Veethree hired more than 50
people whose jobs would have been lost when Teleflex closed. Veethree
continued to manufacture the existing Teleflex product line serving the
marine and industrial markets in its 35,000-sq.-ft. Manatee County facility.
The company expects to occupy their new facility by July 2012. “Since arriving in Manatee County in 2009
and preserving 50 existing jobs, Veethree has grown its staff to 65 and now
plans to add another 20 over the next few years,” Hillstrom said. “This type
of specialty manufacturing firm with a strong engineering focus is vital to
efforts to diversify Manatee County’s economy.” |
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| “The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is strongly focused on creating a
business friendly climate that helps companies accelerate job growth for
local residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “The
Veethree expansion demonstrates the value of this approach as the company has
continued to grow and create new jobs in Manatee County.” |
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| IRISS |
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| April 5, 2012 IRISS, which manufactures infrared windows
for inspecting industrial electrical equipment, will consolidate its
U.K.-based manufacturing operation and U.S. headquarters at a new global
headquarters to be constructed in Manatee County, according to Sharon
Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development Corporation
(MEDC). IRISS plans to add 20
positions over three years at the facility in Lakewood Ranch Commerce Center
beginning in 2013. The Manatee Board
of County Commissioners recently approved $12,000 in performance-based
incentives, and the State of Florida also committed $48,000 to accelerate the
company’s hiring and capital investment. In addition, IRISS qualified for
expedited permitting and approximately $6,393 in transportation impact fee
mitigation from Manatee County Government. |
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| “Our
phenomenal growth of 69 percent year over year is driving the decision to
co-locate our manufacturing and global headquarters in Manatee County,” said
Martin Robinson, IRISS chief executive officer. “We were particularly attracted by the
airports and road network, plus the area’s appeal for our clients from
northern states who will attend our learning center classes and
conferences.” “IRISS’ selection of
Manatee County validates Florida as an avid supporter of new companies and a
state that embraces the opportunities they can bring to our citizens and
communities,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida
Inc., the state’s chief economic development organization. “We’re providing the kind of atmosphere,
talent and resources that help companies like IRISS enhance their growth and
productivity.” |
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| IRISS
makes industrial-grade infrared windows that are used by industrial customers
such as electric utilities and others that deal with high-voltage electrical
equipment. IRISS Infrared Windows use infrared cameras that can see the
infrared energy given off by problems such as corrosion that may affect
electrical switchgear or transformers. The IRISS window allows technicians to
monitor equipment and intervene before dangerous problems develop, Robinson
said. IRISS is also an industry leader providing training programs and
expertise to clients. IRISS currently
operates three headquarters facilities around the world: IRISS Ltd. EMEA
Headquarters in Chelmsford Essex in the United Kingdom, IRISS-Asia Pty Ltd.
APAC Headquarters in Australia, and the U.S. headquarters in Bradenton where
IRISS has eight employees. The new, $5.7-million-dollar global headquarters
in Manatee County will be 33,000 square feet and will include manufacturing
and support operations. The company will invest $1.2 million in equipment and
will provide a training center for clients who will visit to learn about
infrared inspection and earn industry certification. The project is scheduled
for completion in mid-2013. Fred M.
Starling Inc. is the contractor and Fleischman Garcia is the architect. |
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| “The
IRISS project demonstrates Manatee County’s viability as a destination for
international manufacturing and global headquarters for fast-growing
companies,” said Hillstrom, whose organization assisted IRISS in applying for
state and local incentives, as well as expedited permitting. The MEDC also is
working with IRISS on possible training grants. “We are excited about the
prospects for IRISS to grow its employee base here and to attract clients to
the training center from other states, which allows us to showcase Manatee
County to other businesses,” she said.
The 20 positions that IRISS plans to add at the new Manatee County
facility will be in various roles. Potential job candidates should monitor
the company’s website at www.iriss.com. |
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| “IRISS
had many options for consolidating its manufacturing and global headquarters,
including doing so close to home in the United Kingdom,” said Ed Hunzeker,
Manatee County administrator. “The judicious use of performance-based
incentives and expedited permitting is helping Manatee County compete for the
better-paying jobs that are associated with technology manufacturing and
other desirable, high-growth businesses.”
A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is
available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Hobart Ground Power |
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| April 4, 2012 GSE Holdings Inc.,
a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) that manufactures
aircraft ground support equipment and accessories, plans to relocate its
Hobart Ground Power business from Troy, Ohio to Palmetto in Manatee County,
Florida. The move will result in an additional 42 jobs in 2012 at an expanded
facility that Hobart will share with two existing GSE businesses – Trilectron
Industries and ITW Military GSE, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president of
the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). “Hobart Ground Power is a welcome addition
to Florida’s business community and represents further growth in the state’s
aircraft equipment manufacturing,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of
Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s lead economic development
organization. “GSE Holding’s choice of
Palmetto for this relocation reflects our state’s as well as Manatee County’s
ability to attract and retain progressive corporations in a very competitive
marketplace.” |
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| Hobart
Ground Power (www.itwgsegroup.com) designs and manufactures equipment that
delivers power to aircraft on the ground. All of Hobart’s functions are
moving to the facility in Palmetto, which will be expanded from 83,000 square
feet to almost 100,000 square feet, according to Glenn Greco, human resources
manager at GSE Holdings Inc. The facility currently houses GSE’s Trilectron
Industries and ITW Military GSE businesses, which employ approximately 105 in
Palmetto. Trilectron specializes in air conditioning systems used to cool
commercial aircraft on the ground, while ITW Military GSE provides ground
support equipment for military aircraft and Navy ships. “A number of factors including economic
recovery, expansion into new markets and new product development are driving
Hobart’s growth,” Greco said. “As we reviewed our options, co-locating with
our other business units in an expanded facility in Palmetto, Florida was the
best business decision.” |
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| To
facilitate Hobart’s move and expansion, the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners approved $42,000 in performance-based incentives, and the State
of Florida committed $168,000. In addition, Manatee County approved
transportation impact fee incentives estimated at $3,836, as well as
expedited permitting from Manatee County Government to renovate the expanded
location at 11001 U.S. 41 N, Palmetto.
“We welcome this expansion of GSE Holdings’ operation in Manatee County,
which further demonstrates our community’s appeal as a manufacturing location
for companies from the Midwest and other regions of the United States,” said
Hillstrom. “We are also thrilled to retain and grow Manatee County’s
relationship with an industry giant like Illinois Tool Works, the parent
company of GSE Holdings.” ITW has approximately 49,000 employees in 600
decentralized business units operating in 44 countries. |
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| The
MEDC assisted GSE Holdings in applying for state and local incentives, as
well as expedited permitting. The MEDC also is working with the company on
workforce recruitment and training services. The new positions at Hobart will
be in office, professional, engineering and production roles, Greco said. Job
postings will be available at www.itw.com.
“The Manatee Board of County Commissioners is focused on helping local
businesses grow and helping them to provide high-impact jobs to local
residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator.
“Performance-based incentives and expedited permitting, when carefully
applied and managed, are essential tools for our community to compete for
good jobs.” A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is
available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev.
“The MEDC played a critical role in guiding our company to available
training grants, faster permitting, and other incentives available through
the state and county,” Greco said. “By helping to expedite our move and
facility expansion, these agencies cooperating together are also helping us
ramp up to hire and train our workforce to support Hobart’s growth.” |
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| DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenroe |
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| March
14, 2012 Dental
products manufacturer DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenroe is consolidating
operations from three facilities into one location in Manatee County, a move
that is expected to preserve 150 local jobs and add 48 positions in 2012,
according to Sharon Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC). DENTSPLY is
filling positions now, although the consolidation will not be complete until
August. The Manatee Board of County
Commissioners approved $48,000 in performance-based incentives, and the State
of Florida committed $288,000 to accelerate the company’s hiring and capital
investment. In addition, the company qualified for expedited permitting from
Manatee County Government to renovate the new location, formerly known as the
Hi-Stat Building, at 7290 26th Court East in south Manatee County. |
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| The
company, which is a business unit of DENTSPLY International Inc. (NASDAQ:
XRAY), will consolidate operations from two Bradenton facilities and one
located in Baldwin, Ga., according to Brad Clatt, business unit manager for
DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenroe.
“Since 2008, the DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenroe business has nearly
doubled in volume, pushing the limits of our available manufacturing space.
As we analyzed options for consolidation and expansion, we determined that
Florida’s high concentration of medical device manufacturers and suppliers
makes the state very attractive for the volume of products and services we
require to support our operations,” Clatt said. “From a local perspective,
leaders in Manatee County not only share our vision for growth, but continue
to invest in key sectors of life sciences and biotechnology, which are
consistent with our long-term interests.
We’d like to see the county attract more companies like us who think
globally, but invest locally.” |
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| The
company’s operations in Manatee County will encompass more than 20 injection
molding machines, high-speed cutting systems and resin extruders, as well as
sales, marketing, and support functions. The new facility will house more
than 200 associates to serve orthodontic and dental customers in 38 countries
worldwide, with room to grow, Clatt said.
DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenroe also serves as a manufacturing “Center
of Expertise,” providing manufacturing services for other DENTSPLY
International business units. The $2.8-billion parent company is one of the
world's largest makers of professional dental products and has recently
expanded into consumable medical devices.
The company is currently seeking to fill various positions in
manufacturing, production and support. Potential job candidates should
monitor the company’s website at www.essix.com and send resumes to
essix.jobs@dentsply.com, or apply in person at 1912 44th Avenue East in
Bradenton. |
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“When
DENTSPLY merged the locally-owned Glenroe business with DENTSPLY’S Raintree
Essix division in 2008, the staff in Manatee County grew. We have every
expectation that this new consolidation and expansion will mean additional
high-impact jobs, as well as retaining the 150 positions we stood to lose if
the company could not find a suitable location here,” said Hillstrom. “This
move also puts a long-vacant asset back to work -- the 125,000-square-foot
building that once housed Hi-Stat Manufacturing.” The MEDC assisted DENTSPLY Raintree Essix
Glenroe in applying for state and local incentives, as well as expedited
permitting. The MEDC also is working with the company on workforce
recruitment and training services.
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“DENTSPLY
Raintree Essix Glenroe has demonstrated its commitment to hiring and sourcing
supplies locally,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “By
carefully applying performance-based incentives and expedited permitting, the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is helping local businesses grow and
provide high-impact jobs to local residents.” A list of Manatee County's
economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. “This business
expansion project is a testament to the ability of both state and Manatee
County to help companies develop solutions to their business needs. It also reflects our success in stimulating
economic and job growth in targeted industries and focus areas; in this case,
manufacturing and life sciences.” said Gray Swoope, president and CEO of
Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s principal economic development
organization. “We’re pleased that
DENTSPLY chose Florida to broaden its operations and remain a member of our
business community.”
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| “The
Manatee EDC, Manatee County Government and Enterprise Florida (the state’s
economic development arm) have been terrific partners in this effort,” Clatt
said. “The MEDC understands what we are trying to do in Florida and has
become a true business partner to our organization. The economic development
incentives and project support from the county and state made this
consolidation project attainable. “
“We are investing over $2.5 million in facility improvements in six
months while operating against very aggressive timelines,” Clatt said. “The
combination of the county’s rapid response team and working with capable
local contractors and suppliers like Geiger Construction, D&D Painting
and Manson Roofing to name a few, helped our business tackle a large-scale
job on time and on budget. This is a great example of the cooperation a
business needs to succeed and grow in a community.” |
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| Hot Brands
International |
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March 5, 2012 Hot Brands International (HBI), a restaurant company
based in Toronto, Canada, has established its U.S. headquarters in Lakewood
Ranch in Manatee County, Florida. Hot Brands International Inc. USA (HBI USA)
plans to add 12 corporate office employees and will launch a new fast-casual
concept in the region over the next three years, according to Sharon
Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development Corporation
(MEDC). "HBI’s choice of Florida
confirms that our state’s business climate is ripe for corporate headquarters
establishment,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida
Inc., the state’s lead economic development organization. “This announcement is great news for
Florida, and we look forward to having HBI as a member of the Manatee County
business community.”
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners recently approved $12,000 in
performance-based incentives, and the State of Florida also committed $48,000
to accelerate the company’s location and hiring. HBI USA is currently located
in Lakewood Ranch. The parent company
owns several businesses worldwide that develop, own and operate ethnic and
casual-dining restaurants in the United Arab Emirates and other countries
throughout the world, including India. HBI has more than 800 employees
worldwide. “We are excited to launch
our U.S. presence in Florida with a completely new concept,” said Kanak Bal,
HBI vice president of business development. “While our global headquarters is
in Canada, this will be our first restaurant venture in North America.
Florida is a great incubator for new restaurant concepts because of its
demographic makeup. People enjoy dining out and are increasingly more willing
to branch out into ethnic food.” “Much
of the United States remains underserved in terms of healthy, contemporary
and quick ethnic cuisine,” Bal said. “HBI looks forward to bringing our
newest concept to the region.” In
addition to the corporate office positions, the new concept will require
about 2,500 square feet of space and approximately 25 restaurant employees
per unit, Bal said. |
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| According
to Bal, HBI’s Dubai operation is one of the fastest growing food-service
companies in the region, with over 70 units under nine quick-service,
casual-dining and fine-dining branded concepts. These restaurants include
Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai and Japanese cuisine and reflect the flavors
and cultures of the countries they represent. “Hot Brands International has more than 20
years of experience creating, launching and growing successful restaurant brands,”
said Hillstrom. “The corporate office jobs and the prospect of multiple
locations should deliver more employment opportunities for our community.”
The MEDC assisted HBI in applying for county and state incentives, while
providing information on other business resources available to the
company. |
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| “The
corporate office positions that HBI offers will pay at least 15 percent more
than the county average wage. By carefully applying performance-based incentives and providing
efficient services to growing businesses, the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners is accelerating job creation for local residents,” said Ed
Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. |
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| Feld Entertainment, Inc. |
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| January
30, 2012 -
Feld Entertainment, Inc., in conjunction with the Manatee Economic
Development Corporation, officials from the State of Florida and Manatee
County Government, today are pleased to announce the new location for the
company’s worldwide production headquarters in Ellenton, Fla. Feld Entertainment produces the most
well-known brands in live family entertainment, including Ringling Bros. and
Barnum & Bailey®, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Monster Jam and other Feld
Motor Sports productions. The company’s new Ellenton global production
facility will allow for growth that cannot be accommodated at the company’s
current location in nearby Palmetto. |
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| “We
are very excited to move our global operations headquarters to this new
location,” said Feld Entertainment Chairman and CEO Kenneth Feld. “This new
facility will enable us to consolidate many of our operations in Ellenton so
that we can continue to create the high quality live family entertainment
spectaculars that our customers around the world expect. We are grateful to
the State of Florida and Governor Rick Scott, the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners, the Manatee Economic Development Corporation, and all of the
other state and county officials who have helped to make this move a
reality,” he added. |
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| “Feld
Entertainment’s plan to make Florida its new home exemplifies the strength of
the state’s business climate,” said Florida’s Secretary of Commerce Gray
Swoope. “I would like to compliment
Governor Rick Scott for providing the right atmosphere, talent and resources
to help companies enhance their growth and productivity.” |
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| The
move will preserve 148 local jobs and is projected to create 235 new high
skill, high wage jobs in Manatee County over the next five years. “We are
excited about the prospects for capital investment and job growth in Manatee
County that will ensue from Feld Entertainment’s relocation and expansion,”
said Sharon Hillstrom, MEDC president. “This project is the result of many
months of coordination between the MEDC, county government, state officials
and the company. We look forward to continuing to work with Feld on
permitting and employee training as the facility plans move forward.” |
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| Feld
Entertainment’s new facility, located at 2001 North US 301, occupies 47
acres. It will consolidate and house
Feld Entertainment’s operations responsible for the design, production and
support of the company’s global tours, including scenic design, costumes,
sound and lighting, as well as the company’s circus train maintenance. The
site includes 100,000 square feet of office space with an additional 450,000
square feet of manufacturing space in two buildings. The site was originally
developed by The Siemens Corp. and most recently occupied by General
Electric. Studley, Inc. served as Feld Entertainment’s real estate advisor
for purchasing its new facility. |
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| Feld
Entertainment qualified for local and state performance-based incentives and
training grants totaling $3,779,734.
The incentives include $1,174,765 from the state’s Qualified Targeted
Industry fund, $650,000 from the Quick Action Closing Fund, and $1,500,334
from the Manatee County Government. |
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| “The
Feld Entertainment relocation represents a significant capital investment by
the company and will help retain and grow jobs locally. By facilitating
business expansion projects like this through appropriate incentives and
expedited permitting, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners is working to
improve the local economic climate for residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee
County administrator. A list of Manatee County's economic development
incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Feld
Entertainment will continue to occupy its corporate headquarters in Vienna,
Va., but will gradually move its corporate operations to the new facility in
Ellenton over the next five years.
Current rehearsal locations for circus, ice and stage shows will
continue, although the new facility would allow for the creation of rehearsal
space. |
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| About
Feld Entertainment: Feld Entertainment, Inc. is the worldwide leader in
producing and presenting live family entertainment that lifts the human
spirit and creates indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance
at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in
more than 70 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Feld Motor
Sports. More information is available
online at www.feldentertainment.com. |
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| Clare Controls Inc. |
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| January
5, 2012 -
Clare Controls Inc., which provides home automation systems for the custom
home audio/video industry, has launched in Manatee County and plans to add 62
employees over the next four years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president
of the Manatee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The Manatee Board of
County Commissioners recently approved $248,000 in performance-based
incentives, and the State of Florida also committed $248,000. The new jobs
will pay on average twice the county average, or $66,896. The county also will provide an estimated
$7,797 in impact fee incentives to facilitate the company’s renovation of a
20,000-square-foot leased building at 7519 Pennsylvania Avenue in South
Manatee County. In addition, the
company qualified for a Quick Response Training grant from the State of
Florida in the amount of $93,000 for employee training. |
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| Clare
Controls (www.clarecontrols.com) provides systems that optimize the
installation, management and use of sophisticated home automation solutions.
Deployed from the “cloud” and run in customers’ homes on Mac platforms, these
systems encompass lighting, security, multi-zone audio, video entertainment,
energy, CCTV and other applications.
All are controlled by users through iPhone, iPad and browsers, using
interfaces that they design and deploy themselves, without outside
assistance. The company also offers
ClareVision, its IP video surveillance solution, as a freestanding package
for use in residential and commercial applications. ClareVision uses advanced analytics
(computer algorithms originally developed for military analysis of live
video) to turn raw video into actionable intelligence. This major advancement
over traditional CCTV gives users the potential to proactively intervene in
developing situations, before they escalate. |
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| Clare
President Brett Price owns a related business in Manatee County, Tempus Inc.,
which installs and services home automation systems. Formed in 2002 after
Price sold Cheetah Technologies, Tempus has 50 employees in Manatee County. “While Clare Controls is a startup, the
owner’s track record for growing good jobs and the company’s technology and
business model give us confidence in helping to accelerate Clare’s hiring in
Manatee County,” said Hillstrom. The MEDC assisted the company in applying
for county and state incentives, and in permitting for facility
improvements. “Clare Controls is the
type of company Florida seeks to spark further growth in its information
technology sector, which is a target for economic development,” said Gray
Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s lead
economic development organization.
“Therefore, Clare’s selection of Florida and the new jobs involved are
more than welcome news. It’s a
validation of this state’s ability to meet the needs of both progressive
businesses and high-growth industries. |
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| “A
significant market opportunity exists in the home automation industry where
Clare’s solution will simplify the user experience and use the power of the
“Cloud” to achieve efficiency for the custom audio/video dealer and improve
customer satisfaction,” Price said. “We chose to locate Clare in Manatee
County because this has been a great community for our other businesses, with
the right combination of a business-friendly environment and excellent
quality of life.” Price said the
company is working on facility improvements for offices and engineering labs,
and investing in computers and test equipment. He plans to hire the first 39
employees in 2012. Job candidates may review openings at www.clarecontrols.com. |
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| “By
judiciously applying performance-based incentives and providing efficient
services to businesses that want to locate and expand in Manatee County, the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is accelerating job creation for local
residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. A list of Manatee
County's economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Companies
on the Move - 2011 |
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| Ipe Clip Fastener Company LLC |
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October 3, 2011 – The Ipe Clip Fastener Company LLC has moved its
headquarters and manufacturing operations from South Carolina to Manatee
County where the company plans to add 80 employees over the next five years,
according to Sharon Hillstrom, interim executive director of the Manatee
Economic Development Council (EDC). Ipe Clip designs and manufactures a
patented line of hidden deck fasteners, deck building tools, stainless steel
screws, deck finishing products, and accessories. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners
approved $80,000 in performance-based incentives for Ipe Clip
(www.ipeclip.com). To qualify for the incentives, the company must hire 80
employees over the next five years at an average wage that is 15 percent
higher than the county average.
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| “Manatee
County provides us with the unique opportunity to employ the high-caliber
workforce and staff necessary to manage operations and facilitate future
growth,” said Doug Reid, in charge of media relations at Ipe Clip.
“Logistically, the location of shipping ports and major airports were also
huge considerations for our relocating to Manatee County. Members of the
investor group supporting our expansion live in the area and made the company
aware of the opportunity to locate here.”
Ipe Clip sells its products nationally and internationally. Reid said
that increased customer demand caused the company to outgrow its previous
15,000-square-foot facility in Gaffney, S.C. Ipe Clip began operations in
Manatee County in August at a 70,000-square-foot building near State Road 70
and U.S. 301. Ipe Clip uses plastic
injection molding, metal stamping, and CNC machining to produce tools and
deck-building accessories. As the company develops new products, it will add
equipment to expand its manufacturing operation, Reid said. |
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| Four
key employees moved with the company from South Carolina, but other positions
will be filled locally. Ipe Clip plans to fill 10 skilled positions and 40
unskilled by the end of 2012. Job candidates may submit their resumes to 2111
58th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34203
“The international reach of The Ipe Clip Fastener Company demonstrates
Manatee County’s viability as a location for manufacturing companies that
want to reach a global market,” Hillstrom said. “As with many corporate
relocation decisions, the key was having the right building available to
accommodate the business now and its expansion in the future.” “The Manatee EDC was crucial in providing
us with relocation services for key personnel,” Reid said. “We received some
wonderful relocation information packages that made the move easier for our
key employees. The EDC also provided great assistance with permitting
processes and locating various facilities that would fit our size
requirements.” “Attracting The Ipe
Clip manufacturing operation and its quality jobs reinforces the wisdom of
judiciously applying performance-based incentives, which is part of Manatee
County’s push to grow jobs, and grow them now,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee
County administrator. A list of Manatee County's economic development
incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Global Components |
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| September 12, 2011 Global Components Inc., a division of
U.K.-based plastic component manufacturer TCB-Arrow, has selected Manatee
County for its U.S. operations and plans to create 50 jobs over three years,
according to Sharon Hillstrom, interim executive director of the Manatee
Economic Development Council (EDC). Global Components designs, engineers and
manufactures plastic injection molded components as a contract manufacturer.
The company also provides high-tech assembly and produces its own automotive
ignition components. The Manatee Board
of County Commissioners approved $60,000 in performance-based incentives for
the company, matching a $240,000 commitment from Florida’s Qualified Target
Industry Tax Refund and Enterprise Zone incentive programs. Global Components
qualified for Enterprise Zone tax incentives based on the company’s location
on 17th Street East in the Palmetto/Manatee County Enterprise Zone. |
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| “We
have identified a number of excellent growth opportunities in the U.S. market
and want to be close to vendors, suppliers and customers in the automotive,
aviation, medical and high technology sectors,” said Global Components
President Lindsay Rolfe, whose business is based in Camberley Surrey, U.K.
“Manatee County is also a great jumping-off point for our expansion into
Central and South America. We plan to begin hiring in Manatee County by early
2012.” Global Components
(www.globalcomponentsinc.com) provides component and total assembly of
plastic injection-molded products and silicone valves. The company helps
customers take products from concept through design, engineering,
manufacturing, sales and distribution, Rolfe said. Global’s international
relationships help customers reach a worldwide market quickly, he said. |
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| In
addition to providing contract manufacturing for clients, Global makes its
own automotive ignition components that are sold worldwide. Rolfe said the
16,000-square-foot facility in Manatee County will include a “clean” room
that will be FDA-compliant, allowing Global to serve the medical industry and
other clients whose products require a specialized controlled production
environment. “In addition to the jobs
it will create, Global Components should be a magnet for the company’s
partner customers, subcontractors and suppliers,” Hillstrom said. “The
international relationships the company brings to Manatee County could pay
substantial dividends in the future.” The EDC assisted the company in
applying for state and local incentives, and facilitated Global’s interaction
with local governments. |
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| “The
Manatee EDC is almost like an extension of the business in this expansion,”
Rolfe said. “They seem to take a personal interest in helping with
permitting, introductions and advice. We appreciate the assistance provided
by Manatee County Government and the State of Florida, which will accelerate
our expansion and hiring locally.”
“The Global Components expansion into Manatee County demonstrates how
we can combine state economic development incentives with local dollars to
help businesses grow faster and add jobs now,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee
County administrator. Information on Manatee County's economic development
incentives, including the benefits of locating in the Enterprise Zone, is
available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| C Products Defense Inc. |
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September
6, 2011 C
Products Defense Inc. has moved its manufacturing operation and distribution
arm from Connecticut to Manatee County where the company plans to add 100
employees in the next five years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, interim
executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council (EDC). C
Products Defense (CPD) uses robotic welding units to manufacture ammunition
magazines for law enforcement, military and U.S. rifle manufacturers. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners
approved $100,000 in performance-based incentives for CPD. To qualify for the incentives, the company
must hire 100 employees over the next five years at an average wage that is
15 percent higher than the county average.
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| The
county’s rapid response permitting program expedited CPD’s move to an
existing 19,600-square-foot facility in south Manatee County. CPD’s sister
company, LCJ Wholesale (http://www.lcjwholesalestore.com/), also has located
in Manatee County and will distribute CPD’s magazines along with other
manufacturers’ products. “The state
has proven its commitment to manufacturers moving to Florida, where the
advantages for expansion and growth are exceptional. The state and Manatee
County understand the importance of manufacturing companies locating in
Florida,” said CPD President Larry Panka, Sr. |
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| Two
members of the existing management team have relocated from Connecticut, but
other positions will be filled locally. CPD will hire 15 employees in Manatee
County this year and 35 more in 2012. New jobs will range from assembly to
management. Job candidates may inquire via email to
jwalls@suncoastworkforce.org. LCJ Wholesale also will add employees over
time, Panka said. Both businesses give hiring preference to military
veterans. The company’s continuing
investment in robotic welding units represents “a commitment to quality and
our corporate goal to remain the leader in the industry,” said Panka. CPD
plans to become ISO certified within the next few months. |
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| “C
Products Defense’s precision manufacturing business is a welcome addition to
the defense and homeland security industry sector that already thrives in
Manatee County,” Hillstrom said. “The company’s growth and commitment to
sourcing its production needs within Florida will stimulate opportunities for
local suppliers, which should lead to even more job creation.” The EDC assisted the company in site
selection and applying for economic development incentives. The EDC also
worked with county government on facility permitting and connected CPD to
Suncoast Workforce for employee recruitment and training resources. |
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| “The
EDC helped us with employee training, site selection, the many incentive
programs, shortening the interview process for new hires, and much more,”
Panka said. “The EDC and Suncoast Workforce personnel have made our move here
seamless.” Panka also credited Community Bank & Company for understanding
CPD’s business and facilitating financing for the relocation. “The C Products Defense project
demonstrates how performance-based incentives through Manatee County
Government can accelerate job creation in our community,” said Ed Hunzeker,
Manatee County administrator. A list of Manatee County's economic development
incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Trojan Powder Coating |
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| August
30, 2011 Trojan Florida Powder Coating, whose parent
company is based in Bay Shore, N.Y., is opening a facility in Manatee County
and plans to hire 30 employees over three years, according to Sharon
Hillstrom, associate director of the Manatee Economic Development Council
(EDC). The Manatee Board of County
Commissioners recently approved $18,000 in performance-based incentives to
match a $72,000 commitment from Florida’s Qualified Target Industry incentive
program. To qualify for the incentives, Trojan must provide an average annual
wage of at least $33,448 and hire 30 employees over three years. |
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| New York-based Trojan Powder Coating (www.trojanpowder.com)
provides environmentally safe powder coating services to other manufacturers
of aluminum and steel products. Trojan
coats architectural aluminum for window, door and skylights, as well as
lighting, architectural railings, fencing, retail displays, electrical and
many other products. The company,
which has 65 employees in New York, also powder coats with a process that
emulates wood grain and marble-like finishes. Powder coating increases
durability and creates an attractive finish. Trojan’s work is certified by
the American Architectural Manufactures Association, which is required for
many commercial and governmental applications of powder coating. |
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| “We
know from our existing customers and suppliers in the Southeast and Florida,
such as PGT Industries in Venice, that there is a tremendous need for a
certified powder coater in this region,” said Carl Troiano, president at
Trojan. “Manatee County is attractive
because of its central location to the entire state and proximity to other
southeastern states. By maintaining our facility in New York, we will be able
to cover the entire eastern United States and reduce shipping time and
costs.” |
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| The
company is locating in a 97,000-square-foot building in South Manatee County.
Operations should be under way by November, said Troiano, who invited job
candidates to email resumes to admin@trojanpowder.com. “Trojan Florida Powder Coating is a welcome
addition to the region’s manufacturing support businesses,” said Hillstrom.
“Trojan will be able to serve a large geographic area of customers from its
Manatee County location.” The EDC assisted the company in applying for
economic development incentives. “The
Trojan Florida Powder Coating project is another example of how Manatee
County's economic development incentives are helping to stimulate the
creation of new, quality jobs here," said Manatee County Administrator
Ed Hunzeker. A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is
available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Rational Energies |
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| August 22, 2011 Minnesota-based
Rational Energies MC Inc. has selected Manatee County as the location for the
company’s first green energy manufacturing facility, according to Eric
Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council
(EDC). Rational Energies, which converts agricultural and municipal waste
into synthetic crude oil, plans to hire 21 employees in Manatee County by
early 2012. The Manatee Board of
County Commissioners recently approved $12,600 in performance-based
incentives to match a $63,000 commitment from the State of Florida’s
Qualified Tax Incentive program. To qualify for the incentives, the company
must hire 21 employees through 2012 at an average wage that is 15 percent
higher than the county average. Rational Energies’ renovation of an existing
36,000-square-foot facility in south Manatee County will be expedited through
the county’s rapid response permitting program. |
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| “We
considered other locations in Florida, as well as Georgia and Tennessee, for
our first production facility,” said Ed Driscoll, CEO at Rational Energies
(www.rationalenergies.com). “Manatee County was the most desirable because it
provided good access to waste materials we use in production, attractive
lease rates, and a cooperative and pro-active county staff.” “Rational Energies is a wonderful addition
to Florida’s green industry sector,” Basinger said. “The company is seeking
to become part of the solution to global challenges of dealing with municipal
waste and creating sustainable transportation fuels. Manatee County also
welcomes the manufacturing jobs that Rational Energies will bring.” The EDC
assisted the company in applying for economic development incentives and
working with county government on facility permitting. Rational Energies was formed in 2007 to
produce and market valuable commodities, such as crude oil, which are derived
from the material in municipal solid waste and agricultural residue. The
company uses plastics that otherwise would go to a landfill and produces a
very clean form of crude oil that refineries convert into high-value products
like gasoline and diesel fuel, Driscoll said. The Manatee County plant will
be the first in a global network of similar facilities, he said. |
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| “We
have an experienced technical and production team,” Driscoll said. “Our
Manatee County plant will convert roughly 15,000 tons per year of waste
plastics into 3 million gallons per year (71,000 barrels) of synthetic crude
oil.” The production process uses
commercially available equipment that grinds plastic and then slowly heats it
until it reverts to a liquid state. The process consumes very little water
and all discharged water is first treated on site. The company’s plant was
designed to have minimal impact on the site. No odor is associated, and noise
and truck traffic is typical of a small manufacturing business. Driscoll expects to complete hiring for the
Manatee County plant by early 2012. Job candidates may inquire via email to
hr@rationalenergies.com. |
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| "The
Rational Energies project is another example of how Manatee County's economic
development incentives package is contributing directly to the creation of
new, quality jobs here," said Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.
"Over time, those jobs are going to add significant value to our
community." A list of Manatee
County's economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Grand Incentives |
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| August 11, 2011 Grand Incentives Inc., a travel and
lifestyle incentives membership and marketing company, is expanding its
Manatee County headquarters and plans to add 60 employees over the next five
years, according to Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic
Development Council (EDC). The Manatee
Board of County Commissioners recently approved $60,000 in performance-based
incentives and an estimated $7,797 in impact fee incentives to facilitate the
company’s expansion. In addition, the company qualified for a Quick Response
Training grant from the State of Florida in the amount of $81,890 for
employee training. |
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| Grand
Incentives specializes in the administration and fulfillment of innovative
travel and lifestyle incentive programs. Headquartered in south Manatee
County, the company has operations in North, South and Central America
supported by over 95 employees in those offices. In addition, the company
offers a wide range of club membership products and related fulfillment
services to accommodate the needs of various client groups. “We recently acquired a significant membership
base from a large online travel company. Those members will become part of
our feature product, Coast to Coast Grand Getaways, a travel membership club
that caters to the avid traveler,” said Larry Biondi, chief operating officer
at Grand Incentives. “To support this large-scale effort, we are adding 9,200
square feet to our existing 14,000-square-foot headquarters operation, and we
plan to add 60 employees in membership services and supervisory positions.” |
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| “We
understand that many of the new employees at Grand Incentives will be hired
in the next 60 to 90 days, and the company is adding technology and
communications systems to support the expansion,” said Basinger, whose staff
assisted the company in applying for county incentives and rapid-response
permitting. “The fast track for this project is vital to the company, and to
local residents who may benefit from the jobs created at Grand
Incentives.” According to Biondi,
Coast to Coast Grand Getaways provides “best in class” experiences with major
discounts on resorts, vacation packages, adventure travel, cruises, hotels,
car rentals, railways and airfare. As a full-service travel agency, Grand
Incentives applies significant volume purchasing power to provide to its more
than 60,000 members substantial savings at over 3,500 resorts in 105
countries. “We enjoy having our
headquarters located in Manatee County, and are pleased that we will be able
to keep our expansion in the Bradenton-Sarasota area,” Biondi said. “The EDC
and Manatee County Government have helped us meet our timeline and have been
instrumental in assisting us with permitting and employee recruitment.”
Candidates for positions at Grand Incentives may inquire by sending email to
careers@grandincentives.com. |
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved $60,000 in performance-based
incentives for Grand Incentives, which has committed to adding 60 new
employees over the next five years at 115 percent of the annual average wage
in Manatee County. The county also will provide transportation impact fee
incentives estimated at $7,797. Additionally, the company qualified for the
county’s rapid-response permitting program to expand the headquarters
facility. “The Manatee Board of
County Commissioners is focused on helping our community attract and retain
good jobs for local residents. By carefully applying performance-based
incentives to qualified expansions and relocations, and by making our own
governmental processes even more responsive to business, we can contribute to
economic growth,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. A list of
Manatee County's economic development incentives is available at
www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. “State
College of Florida is excited to assist Grand Incentives in coordinating
training for their new employees that will help boost our local economy,”
said Daisy Vulovich, associate vice president of Corporate and Community
Development at SCF. In the Quick Response Training grant process, the college
acts as the fiscal agent, coordinating the company’s training efforts with
the reimbursement of state funds available through Workforce Florida. In
addition, SCF will be a training provider, she said. |
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| CEC Motor & Utility Services |
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| June 6, 2011 CEC Motor & Utility Services will
locate in Manatee County in 2011 to remanufacture industrial motors for high
energy efficiency. The company plans to create at least 36 jobs over the next
five years, according to Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee
Economic Development Council (EDC).
CEC Motor & Utility Services is a spin-off of Detroit-based CEC
Controls Co. Inc., which has a small sales office in Sarasota County. That
function will co-locate with the new company in a 21,000-square-foot building
in Palmetto. CEC Motor plans to renovate the existing building and invest
more than $1.25 million in facility improvements and equipment. The highly efficient motors that result
from our patented technology and remanufacturing process are the first of
their kind in North America,” said Jim Hough, chief operating officer for CEC
Motor. “Any user of industrial motors can take advantage of these
energy-saving devices. We expect strong sales growth in North America that
will drive job creation at our Manatee County location.” |
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| CEC
Motor considered several other locations, including Atlanta and Detroit,
where the parent company has offices. The company also considered locating
near test sites for the technology used in the remanufacturing process. “Manatee County’s readily available labor
pool and the helpful attitude of county government and the EDC attracted us,”
said Robert Scheper, president of both CEC Motor and the parent company. “We
appreciate the assistance with evaluating properties and understanding
permitting issues.” “We are excited to
welcome CEC Motor & Utility Services to Manatee County. High technology
manufacturing is a prime business sector for creating a more diverse economy
and generating high-impact jobs,” Basinger said. |
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved a total of $126,000 in
performance-based incentives for CEC Motor, while the State of Florida
pledged $72,000. The company committed to creating 36 jobs over five years,
but according to Hough, the pace of job growth could be closer to 50 in that
timeframe. “By applying
performance-based incentives in a judicious way for qualified employers, the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners is helping our community attract and
retain good jobs for local residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County
administrator. “The EDC, county and
state government enabled us to offset startup costs with incentives, allowing
us to further concentrate our capital on equipment and facility upgrades to
quickly bring our products to market,” Hough said. “The training funds that
they have proposed will help to accelerate our new employees training
establishing them as a qualified, competent work force in a short period of
time. |
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| xByte Technologies |
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| May 2, 2011 xByte Technologies, a reseller of
Information Technology (IT) equipment, plans to more than double its
footprint in Manatee County and add 38 new jobs in the next five years,
according to Stephen Jaynes, chief operating officer and vice president of
sales. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners recently approved a $76,000
performance-based incentive grant to help facilitate the company’s
growth. "Sales are up in 2011 and
we are forecasting continued growth as we add more manufacturers’ product
lines to our inventory,” said Jaynes, who currently has 20 full-time
employees. “Our current warehouse is maxed out, and we are looking now for a
larger facility. As we grow, we’ll be adding employees throughout the
organization.” |
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| “xByte
Technologies relocated to Manatee County in 2003, and we are encouraged to
see that the company is experiencing strong forward momentum, even in a slow
economy,” said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic
Development Council, which assisted the company in applying for the county
grant. “Because xByte is in the secondary market of refurbishing and
reselling quality IT brands, the demand for their products from
cost-conscious businesses makes sense.”
The company, formerly known as The Old Store Inc., rebranded with the
xByte Technologies label in August to better reflect its core business.
Currently, the company specializes in Dell, HP and IBM equipment. Jaynes said
the business has more than 100,000 network servers, data storage solutions
and parts in inventory, all inspected and refurbished by xByte employees. The
company maintains supplies of parts for several generations of the
manufacturers’ products, which allows customers to gain a longer life from
their existing systems. |
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| Jaynes
said one reason for the company’s uptick in sales in 2011 is a new website
with an e-commerce function that he says is unique in the IT secondary
market. It allows customers to customize and select computer servers, storage
devices and parts. Then the program recalculates the price in real time.
“This system saves our customers a lot of time,” said Jaynes, adding that
employees are available to assist customers by phone or online chat, as
well. “This is a great region for us,
and we are growing our sales locally, as well as nationally and
internationally,” Jaynes said. The company has been challenged to find
qualified technical sales staff and has reached out to the EDC and Suncoast
Workforce for assistance in recruiting employees. xByte also is involved with
the Suncoast Technology Forum and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce technology
committee to support IT education and training in the region, Jaynes said. |
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| “Performance-based
incentives are helping Manatee County’s growing businesses add jobs for local
residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. Employers receive
funds only if they add and retain employees at an annual average wage that is
at least 15 percent higher than the county average, he said. Manatee County offers several incentives to
businesses wishing to relocate or expand in Manatee County. |
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| A list of Manatee County's economic
development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. |
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| Creonix |
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April 18, 2011 Creonix LLC, an advanced electronics manufacturing services company,
is expanding its Manatee County facility and plans to add 105 employees over
the next five years, according to Eric Basinger, executive director of the
Manatee Economic Development Council (EDC).
Creonix, which has been in business since 1988, provides electronic
manufacturing services for leading companies in the medical, military,
aerospace, and industrial sectors. Creonix’s capabilities include complex box
build and systems integration, cable and wire harness manufacturing, and
advanced printed circuit board assembly and test, both functional and
in-circuit. “In the past year, Creonix
has more than doubled revenues, because of our dedication to building
strategic partnerships with our growing customers,” said Creonix President
Ken Piela. “Manatee County has been proactive and very helpful with our
expansion. We are increasing our Manatee County footprint by 25 percent and
we continue to invest in new, leading-edge manufacturing equipment.”
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“Creonix ultimately made its
decision based on the business case for expanding its operations at a
facility in Manatee County. Performance-based incentives approved by the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners also encouraged Creonix to stay and
grow in the Bradenton area,” Basinger said.
The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved a total of $121,000
in performance-based incentives for Creonix. Manatee County offers several
incentives to businesses wishing to relocate or expand in Manatee County. A
list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev. “By applying performance-based incentives
in a judicious way for qualified employers, the Manatee Board of County
Commissioners is helping our community attract and retain good jobs for local
residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator.
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| Tropicana Products, Inc. |
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| February 23, 2011 Tropicana Products, Inc. is reinforcing its
64-year commitment to its Manatee County facility and employees with a
multi-million-dollar investment in a new building, equipment and workforce
training. According to Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee
Economic Development Council (EDC), rapid-response permitting through Manatee
County Government helped accelerate the pace of Tropicana’s move to clear,
plastic bottles. Last summer, the company converted Trop50 to a very
successful new bottle that has helped contribute to growth of more than 50
percent. In February, it began transitioning its flagship Tropicana Pure
Premium brand to a new bottle in the western region of the U.S. and has plans
for expanded distribution. “Tropicana
had many choices of location for this project, and we are thrilled the
company chose to reinvest in its original home in Manatee County,” said Ed
Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “The county’s rapid-response
permitting program was designed for this very purpose: to accelerate the
investment by qualified businesses in their local facilities.” |
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| Tropicana
is replacing outdated structures by building a 36,000-square-foot, $4-million
facility for manufacturing. It also is investing in state-of-the-art
equipment for the new bottle. “Rapid
response permitting is making a huge difference for us in meeting market
demand for Tropicana products in our innovative new packaging,” said Michael
Haycock, Tropicana vice president of operations. “We can’t say enough about
how positive our experience has been working with the EDC and Manatee County
Government.” “The EDC is proud to
facilitate an outstanding working relationship between Tropicana, a legacy
employer in our community, and Manatee County Government to speed
construction and help the company begin its new manufacturing approach to
meet consumer demand,” Basinger said. |
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Manatee
County Economic Incentives Support Creation of
Over 2,800 Potential Jobs Since Program’s Inception
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January 25, 2011 Companies approved for economic development incentive
grants by the Manatee Board of County Commissioners in the past two years
plan to create or retain over 2,800 jobs in the next five years, according to
Manatee County Government and the Manatee Economic Development Council
(EDC). “Manatee County Government has
stepped up in a big way to support incentives for business retention,
expansion and relocation of quality jobs for local residents. The results are
starting to pay off with a brighter future for the local economy,” said
Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.
Since the grant program was implemented in 2009, the county has
approved a total of almost $3.5 million in various incentives to 32 different
companies planning to create or retain a total of 2,844 jobs. The average
wage of those jobs is $48,278, which is 43 percent higher than the average
wage in the county. The companies assisted are in targeted industries that
tend to provide high-impact jobs. Examples include corporate headquarters,
medical manufacturing, financial services and information technology, among
many others.
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| The
return on investment to the community from the incentives program is
substantial, according to Karen Stewart, economic development manager in
Manatee County’s Neighborhood Services Department. For example, including
payroll from direct and indirect jobs, plus capital expenditures and
estimated new property taxes, one company’s $333,732 incentive package is
estimated to return almost $80 million to the local economy and $367,440 in
taxes over five years. The EDC is
implementing a multi-year strategy that outlines tactics in the areas of
workforce development; entrepreneur and technology development; business
recruitment and international trade; and business retention and expansion.
While many of the EDC’s traditional efforts as a vital business resource for
existing companies must and will continue, according to EDC Executive
Director Eric Basinger, the new plan calls for unprecedented efforts in the
recruitment of high-impact employment providers drawn from across the United
States and around the globe. |
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| “The
partnership between Manatee County Government and the EDC is essential to
creating and retaining jobs,” Basinger said. “Exceeding the milestone of
2,800 jobs is a magnificent accomplishment. It really shows that the sky is
the limit. If we can do this in a couple of years, imagine what we can do in
a good economy. We have the outreach plan in place, we’re producing leads,
and there are more potential jobs in the pipeline.” |
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| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) |
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| January 21, 2011 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
(LECOM) presented plans for the LECOM School of Dental Medicine in Lakewood
Ranch, a project facilitated by incentives totaling $203,300 approved by the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners.
LECOM plans to invest $52 million to bring the dental school to
Manatee County and will employ nearly 200 individuals including dental
faculty, administrators and dental hygienists, along with technical,
administrative and other support staff,
The EDC assisted LECOM in applying for performance-based incentives
from Manatee County Government. “We are excited to bring this substantial
investment and important educational opportunity to Manatee County,” said
Robert Hirsch, D.D.S., dean of the LECOM School of Dental Medicine. “The
direct impact of institutional, employee and student spending should reach
approximately $14 million in the Bradenton area, and as much as $35 million
through direct and indirect spending statewide.” |
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved an economic development
incentive grant of up to $174,000 over four years and transportation impact
fee refunds of up to $29,300. The incentives are based on LECOM’s commitment
to hire 58 new employees over four years at an annual average wage that is at
least 15 percent higher than the county average. The Florida Commission for Independent
Education has provisionally approved the dental school at LECOM's Bradenton
campus in Lakewood Ranch. LECOM is awaiting initial accreditation in February
from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, at which time the college is
expected to recruit students for the dental school, which will be only the
third in Florida. |
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| The
LECOM School of Dental Medicine will open in Bradenton for classes in 2012.
The school’s first class will enroll 100 first-year students. Within four
years of its inaugural class, the School of Dental Medicine will enroll 400
students. In addition, dental clinics
staffed by faculty and students will be able to treat up to 600 patients per
day providing dental health care for many who are currently underserved. Only
those patients whose treatment regimen meets the educational requirements of
the dental school will be accepted. |
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| Oshkosh Corp. |
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| January 6, 2011 Manatee Economic Development Council and
Pinellas County Economic Development announced that through Florida economic
development assistance, Oshkosh Corp., a Fortune 350 company, is expanding
its Pierce Manufacturing and Frontline Communications operations in
Florida. The result could add up to
200 jobs in Bradenton and Clearwater in 2011.
After an extensive review, the Fire and Emergency segment of Oshkosh
Corporation has decided to relocate two of its businesses -- Medtec
Ambulances and Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles (OSV) -- and consolidate them with
two other existing business units in Florida.
Medtec Ambulance will be relocated and consolidated with Pierce
Manufacturing in Bradenton, while OSV will be relocated and merged with
Frontline Communications in Clearwater.
The existing Fire & Emergency operations in Florida currently
employ approximately 450. |
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| Enterprise
Florida and the governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
worked with local officials and economic development organizations to assist
the company’s relocations. The planned
relocations qualify Oshkosh for up to $1.44 million in economic development
incentives. Contributors included: state of Florida, $1,074,000; Manatee
Board of County Commissioners, $333,732; and Pinellas County Government,
$40,000. |
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| Medtec
Ambulance Corp. will relocate its current manufacturing operations in Goshen,
Indiana and White Pigeon, Michigan to existing facilities of Pierce
Manufacturing Inc. in Bradenton. Approximately 100 to 150 highly-skilled
manufacturing and office employees will be added to Pierce’s Bradenton
operations as a result of this consolidation. Similar to its other
operations, the company will install a state-of-the-art, flexible assembly
line that will allow multiple vehicle types to be assembled in the Bradenton
facility. In addition, OSV will
relocate its Harvey and Calumet City, Illinois manufacturing operations to
Florida where they will be consolidated with Frontline Communications, an
Oshkosh company located in Clearwater. Approximately 50 manufacturing and
office employees, at 150% of the Pinellas County average wage, will be added
to Frontline’s Clearwater operations as a result of this consolidation, which
will improve the overall competitiveness of the businesses for the long term. |
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| Medtec
is a leading North American manufacturer of custom ambulance vehicles. Pierce
Manufacturing is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of fire
apparatus and other emergency vehicles. Pierce Florida will manufacture
Medtec products at the Bradenton location while still producing its own
portfolio of emergency vehicle products. Medtec will continue to operate as a
separate brand, with Medtec manufacturing operations combining with Pierce
Florida in Bradenton. Frontline
Communications is a premier manufacturer of command and communications
vehicles and broadcast vehicles in Clearwater. OSV is a global leader in high
technology mobile medical imaging vehicles and high technology transportable
and re-locatable trailers and shelters for military and commercial
applications. |
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| It Works Global |
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| January 4, 2011 It Works Global
Inc. will relocate its corporate headquarters from Grand Rapids, Mich., to
Manatee County in January 2011 – a move that will add 90 jobs over the next
three years, according to It Works CEO Mark Pentecost. The company qualified
for state and local performance-based incentives totaling $799,785. It Works’ innovative products have made the
company a trailblazer in the direct sales industry, Pentecost said. One of
its flagship products, the Ultimate Body Applicator™, is a naturally based,
detoxifying, body-contouring wrap that produces tightening, toning and
firming results in 45 minutes, he said. The company also offers an extensive
array of premium nutritional supplements and a line of luxury skincare
products. |
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| “We’re
excited to welcome It Works Global to Manatee County,” said Eric Basinger,
executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council, which is
assisting It Works with the relocation. “With the help of performance-based
incentives approved by the Manatee Board of County Commissioners and the
State of Florida, we were able to focus the company’s relocation plans toward
Manatee County, which will generate good jobs for local residents.” The company is planning to renovate the
Stoneybrook Golf Club facility in Bradenton.
Director of Distributor Relations Steve Neeson explains, “We are
looking forward to pampering our distributors by regularly hosting red carpet
events, leadership retreats and training seminars. It will also serve as a
place for our distributors to come relax and enjoy their time together.” |
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| It
Works will lease additional space at another Bradenton location. Pentecost
expects the corporate headquarters to be operating in Manatee County in
January 2011. “At It Works Global we
really embrace an inspiring, youthful, active, and vibrant corporate
culture,” explained Pentecost. “The fact that we will now be operating out of
the beautiful Stoneybrook Golf Club in the sunny state of Florida will
amplify these values. Within three years, we plan to move much of our
operations down to Manatee County.”
“Our corporate office shares its success with a close-knit community
of approximately 18,000 independent distributors who conduct sales in the
United States, Canada, Europe and Australia,” said Director of Marketing Pam
Sowder. It Works Independent Distributor Denise Walsh explains, “Mark wants
others to experience the same success that he has, and now works tirelessly
to give people an amazing opportunity with It Works.” |
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| Over
the next three years, Pentecost plans to develop a call center and shipping
operations in Manatee County. The company’s executive team and some of its
existing 45-member staff will make the move to Bradenton, and additional
employees will be recruited in the areas of accounting and finance, customer
service, creative functions, marketing, and project management. Candidates
for career opportunities with It Works Global should send email to
projectparadise@itworks.net. “By
judiciously applying local performance-based incentives to this project, the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners continues to demonstrate its commitment
to working with the Manatee Economic Development Council and the State of
Florida in supporting the growth of good jobs in our community,” said Manatee
County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. |
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| Pentecost
noted that before he narrowed his focus to Manatee County, he worked with
both the Manatee EDC and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota
County. “We all met together, and it was seamless, like one organization just
trying to help make the best decision possible for my business,” he said.
“The assistance we have received has been well organized and well run. We’re
confident that as we make the move, our people will feel welcome and at home
in Florida. It Works Global is looking forward to building a relationship
with the people and community of Manatee County.” |
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| Companies
on the Move - 2010 |
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| Dynamic Innovations LLC |
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| October 26, 2010 Dynamic Innovations
LLC, a defense-based engineering and manufacturing company that specializes
in applications for advanced composite materials, has relocated to a larger
facility and plans to add 100 employees in the next 12 months, according to
Alan Taylor, president and chief engineer at the Palmetto-based company. A
$41,000 performance-based incentive grant approved today by the Manatee Board
of County Commissioners will help facilitate the company’s growth. "We’re excited to build on our
traditional defense contracts into high-end consumer and commercial product
markets allowing us to showcase our innovations in material science,
engineering and high-speed, precision manufacturing,” said Taylor, who
currently employs 15 people. “The grant from Manatee County will allow us to
speed up the addition of equipment, facilities improvements and hiring to
support our growth.” |
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| “Dynamic
Innovations has exciting plans for expanding on its solid base in defense
contracts,” said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic
Development Council, which assisted the company in applying for the county
grant. “In a difficult economy, it’s gratifying to see another innovative
business in Manatee County that is creating new products and adding
employees.” |
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| Taylor
said part of the company’s growth is being fueled by its association with the
Demmer Corp., a large defense contractor that acquired 90 percent of the
company in April. The Demmer connection drives more business for Dynamic
Innovation’s products such as composite armored plating for vehicles and
ruggedized computer cases. Composite
materials, the company’s specialty, are lighter weight and much stronger than
materials traditionally used for such applications, he said. The company also
has created ways to use conductive composite materials to more efficiently
move heat out of hot electronic components. In addition to the defense
products, Taylor is planning a line of upscale consumer products that
showcase the company’s materials and design. Examples include a $7,000
briefcase to be marketed through luxury car brands, as well as a line of
travel cases. The products will be marketed through the brand name Clad Cases
(cladcases.com). Dynamic Innovations
also has developed a relationship with local audio technology innovators at
Sleek Audio in Palmetto to manufacture Sleek’s products that formerly were
produced in Asia. |
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| Taylor
said the company will hire mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and
industrial designers, as well as technically skilled manufacturing employees
over the next year. Employment candidates may send their resumes via email to
hr@d-inno.com. |
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| “Performance-based
incentives are helping Manatee County businesses add jobs now,” said Ed
Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Employers receive funds only if they
add and retain employees at an annual average wage that is at least 115
percent of the county average.” |
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| Natural Prosthetic
Dental Lab Inc. |
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| October 5, 2010 Natural Prosthetic Dental Lab Inc., a
26-year-old Bradenton company, announced today it will expand its facility
and hire 283 employees over the next five years to support demand for
digitally produced dental restorations. The announcement was made by NPDL
President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Grimes, who said the company has
teamed with global technology giant 3M to establish a revolutionary digital
technology pathway that cuts production time and costs, allowing NPDL to move
work back to the United States from China.
“NPDL is on the leading edge of ushering in the digital revolution of
dentistry,” said Grimes, who estimates the capital investment for the project
at $10 million. “We have spent nearly two years working with 3M on the
technology pathway that is now operational, and we have established a
business model that will allow us to resell the scanning devices and become a
training provider for digital dentistry in the United States.” |
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| Like
most dental labs, NPDL has made dental prosthetics – crowns, bridges, implant
restorations and removable prosthetics – using dental impressions provided by
dentists. The traditional impression process requires a tray of impression
material that has to set up in the patient’s mouth. Creating the prosthetics
is often done overseas with cheaper labor, Grimes said. With the new digital
technology, NPDL can afford to bring manufacturing back to Bradenton. NPDL will train dentists to use a digital
scanner to map out a patient’s dental structure. The scan is sent
electronically to NPDL where the digital information is processed. NPDL then
fabricates the restoration to the doctor’s prescription. The digital process
is faster and more precise than traditional methods, Grimes said. Manufacturing dental prosthetics is a
$60-billion dollar industry worldwide, Grimes estimated. The largest lab in
the United States has less than a 2 percent share of the market. Grimes and
partners David Jensen, Dennis Cooley and Steven Pinto expect NPDL to grow
five to 10 times its current size within three years. |
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| “The
only way to compete with overseas cheap labor is with technology,” Grimes
said. “We’ve been working with 3M for years, since they are a leader in
dental materials, and we saw the writing on the wall. Within the decade,
digital dentistry will be the standard. We want to lead that wave and grab
market share. Before we even announced the expansion, we had achieved our
three-year sales goal. The equipment is set up and operating, but we are in
very tight space.” NPDL plans to break
ground this fall on a new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in East
Bradenton. The expansion will allow the business to consolidate other local
operations at one site, he said. The new building could be ready by spring
2011. The Riverside Real Estate Co. and NDC Construction Co. are assisting
with the project. “The Manatee
Economic Development Council (EDC) and Manatee County Government have been
tremendously helpful in our achieving this expansion,” Grimes said. “The EDC
helped us apply for a county incentive grant, and we will use the county’s
rapid response permitting to get the facility up and running so we can add
more employees.” |
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| “It’s
exciting to assist a local company that is poised to take such a giant leap
in its industry,” said Eric Basinger, EDC executive director. “Our next step
is assisting with the facility permitting and employee recruitment. NPDL also
is forming a partnership with a local training institution to create a
pipeline of students that are trained in the new technology.” NPDL declined
to name which institutions are in the running for that role. The Board of
Manatee County Commissioners approved a performance-based incentive for NPDL
of up to $283,000 over five years, based on the company’s hiring 283 new
employees at an average wage that is 115 percent of the county average. “I understand that NPDL’s president/COO is a
sixth-generation Floridian who was born and raised in Bradenton, said Ed
Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “This kind of local success story
reinforces the county’s commitment to providing the right assistance to help
retain and grow Manatee County businesses.” |
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| Wide
World Security Inc. |
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| August 11, 2010 Wide World Security Inc. of Bradenton plans
to hire up to 100 employees over five years to operate a $35-million
headquarters and training center for security and first-responder personnel
on 400 acres in eastern Manatee County, according to Eric Basinger, executive
director of the Manatee Economic Development Council (EDC). The EDC assisted
the start-up company in successfully applying for $178,330 in incentives from
the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.
Located 11 miles east of Interstate-75 on SR 70, the facility will
provide training to meet the needs of police, fire, emergency management
agencies and private security agencies, according to Lyle Allen, president
and CEO of Wide World Security. The first phase is slated to open in the
first half of 2011 and will include a 25,000-square-foot command center,
office and training center with an indoor shooting range. Initially, the
business will employ 15 instructors and operations personnel. |
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| “Our owner and founder, Dell Hyland, has
lived in Lakewood Ranch since 2002 and wanted to locate the facility in this
area,” said Allen, who says the company plans to add up to 100 employees over
five years. “The Manatee Economic Development Council and Manatee County
Government have made a huge difference in helping to move the project
forward. They have all the right people at the table and are helping us make
valuable connections.” “Homeland
security technologies and training continue to be growth industries,” said
Basinger, whose organization is also assisting the company with workforce
recruitment, training and rapid response permitting through county
government. “The Wide World Security training center has been designed to
meet the needs of multiple, diverse markets, from fire departments to
personal security for celebrities.” |
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| The
Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved up to $100,000 over five years
in performance-based incentives for the company as the business hires
employees. The average annual wage provided by the company must exceed 115%
of the county average wage for Wide World Security to receive grant funds. In
addition, commissioners approved a refund of $78,330 for transportation
impact fees once the company has received its certificate of occupancy on the
first phase. “Performance-based
incentives from Manatee County are helping to create jobs in our community
for local residents,” said County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. “Our rapid
response team is focused on meeting the needs of growing businesses that
deliver well-paying jobs.” |
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| Wide
World Security Inc. of Bradenton was formed in 2009 to provide private
security services, in addition to developing the multi-use training center.
The company is led by two disabled military veterans, Dell Hyland and Lyle
Allen. Hyland is a 17-year veteran of the security industry following a
successful career in the US Marine Corps. Allen is a decorated US Army
veteran, combat engineer and recruiter. Pending approval by state regulators,
the company will provide security personnel for corporate and residential
clients, as well as executive and celebrity protection. Wide World also will
provide private investigator services. The training center and its services
will be available to public and private agencies. Instructors will be
qualified to provide training for police, fire, hazardous materials and FEMA,
as wells private security agencies. The center will also be certified by the
Veterans’ Administration, said Allen. |
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| Mustang Vacuum Systems |
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August 2, 2010 An $184,842 training grant will help
Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC ramp up operations in its new facility in Manatee
County where the company plans to add 125 jobs in the next three years,
according to Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic
Development Council (EDC). “The EDC
and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) were instrumental in
helping us apply for the training grant and design the right programs for a
wide range of skills,” said Richard Greenwell, president of Mustang Vacuum
Systems LLC. “With this grant, training programs will be implemented for up
to 125 employees, including welders, IT specialists, engineers, electricians,
scientists, salespeople and managers. Our technical skills requirements in
manufacturing are highly specialized, so we needed a customized approach to
training. SCF and the EDC helped us achieve that goal.”
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| Mustang
moved into a 50,000-square-foot facility in Sarasota Commerce Center in South
Manatee County earlier this year. The company, which has 32 employees,
manufactures equipment used by solar cell manufacturers. Mustang’s expanded
production capacity will drive down the cost of solar energy for consumers by
incorporating technologies into solar cell production that will reduce costs
as well as increase efficiency of the cells, Greenwell said. Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC, an affiliate of
Mustang Dynamometer, manufactures vacuum coating and metalizing equipment,
including sputtering machines, optical coating units, and batch metalizers.
With assistance from the EDC and consultant Ryan Inc., Mustang successfully
applied for state and local performance-based incentive grants in 2009 to
facilitate its expansion. |
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“We
are excited to assist such an entrepreneurial company that is adding so much
to our local economy and is making significant contributions to the clean
energy industry,” said Daisy Vulovich, associate vice president of Corporate
and Community Development at SCF. In the Quick Response Training grant
process, the college acts as the fiscal agent, coordinating the company’s
training efforts with the reimbursement of state funds available through
Workforce Florida. In addition, SCF will be a training provider, she
said. “The EDC strongly recommends
that Manatee County businesses examine their training needs and consider
taking advantage of available grants,” Basinger said. “During difficult
market periods, creating a highly productive and motivated workforce is even
more vital in making your business more competitive and profitable.”
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| UTC Fire & Security |
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| July 30, 2010 UTC Fire & Security – a business unit
of United Technologies Corp. – will preserve 227 jobs and add 23 new jobs in
Manatee County by locating the headquarters for its Global Security Products,
Global Fire Products and Fire & Security Services groups in an existing
facility in Lakewood Ranch, according to Eric Basinger, executive director of
the Manatee Economic Development Council. The company will also establish a
new fire research and test center in West Palm Beach. "When UTC Fire & Security acquired
GE Security earlier this year, we were understandably concerned about the
future of the 227 jobs at the former GE Security facility in Manatee County,”
Basinger said. “With the help of performance-based incentives approved by the
Manatee Board of County Commissioners and the State of Florida, we were able
to work with UTC Fire & Security to locate certain unit headquarters
operations in Manatee County. This ensures that the operations and the jobs
associated with the local facility will not only remain, but will grow.” |
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| In
a statement issued by Gov. Charlie Crist’s office today, UTC Fire &
Security President William Brown commented that the consolidation of these
businesses in Florida allows the company to make best use of existing
facilities while serving its growing global customer base. “The incentive
from the state of Florida has allowed us to maximize our state-of-the-art
training facilities, product research laboratories, customer demonstration
areas and available office space," he said. |
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| “The
location of UTC Fire & Security’s Global Fire Products and Global
Security Products world headquarters in Manatee County will retain 227
well-paying jobs and add 23 new jobs,” said Manatee County Administrator Ed
Hunzeker. “By judiciously applying local performance-based incentives to this
project, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners continues to demonstrate
its commitment to working with the Manatee Economic Development Council and
the State of Florida in supporting the growth of good jobs in our
community.” The Manatee Board of
County Commissioners approved a local match for state incentives, as well as
a county incentive program grant for the company. Manatee County’s total
participation will not exceed $92,000 over five years and will only be paid
out as the company retains and adds high-wage jobs. |
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| UTC
Fire & Security provides fire safety and security solutions to more than
1 million customers worldwide. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, UTC
Fire & Security is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:
UTX), which provides high technology products and services to the building
and aerospace industries worldwide. |
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| Trinity Graphics USA |
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| American Finishing Inc. |
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| June 28, 2010 Trinity Graphics USA and American
Finishing Inc., two companies approved for incentive grants by the Manatee
County Commission on June 22, plan to add nearly 50 employees in the next
five years. |
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| Trinity
Graphics USA, which has been in the news for its relationship with the
Hillstrand brothers of the vessel Time Bandit from the Deadliest Catch
television show, recently began producing graphic inserts for Tervis Tumbler
Company, the Venice-based firm that makes insulated drinkware. Trinity
specializes in creating product labels and other specialty design and printed
products. “We’re printing 5,000 units
a day for Tervis, and they want us to ramp up to 8,000 as soon as possible,”
said Trinity owner Robert Smithson. “That means we need to buy more equipment
and increase staffing. We are planning to have a 24/7 shift system.” Trinity is expanding into an additional
6,500 square feet of a building that the company already owns and is
purchasing additional equipment for an estimated capital investment of nearly
$2 million, Smithson said. The company plans to add 23 new jobs over the next
five years. Commissioners approved up to $1,000 per job over five years for a
maximum of $23,000 in performance-based incentives for the company. |
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| American
Finishing Inc., a metal fabricating and powder coating business, is
purchasing two vacant buildings totaling 50,000 square feet to increase
production capacity and create 25 new jobs over the next five years. The
company will occupy one building immediately and lease the other until needed
for future expansion. The capital investment for the two buildings and the
required renovation is $1.5 million. Commissioners approved up to $1,000 per
job over five years for a maximum of $25,000 in performance-based incentives
for the company. |
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| “The
incentive grants provided by Manatee County Government, which the companies
only receive if they hire and retain employees at wages that exceed the
county average, were vital in helping these growing businesses expand and
hire in our community,” Basinger said.
“Expediting expansions by American Finishing and Trinity Graphics in
cooperation with the EDC exemplifies the ‘business friendly’ climate we want
to promote in Manatee County,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County
administrator. “The Manatee Board of County Commissioners has made retaining
and growing good jobs one of its top priorities.” “The Manatee Economic Development Council
was wonderful in helping us with the grant application,” Smithson said. “EDC
staff explained all of the details about the county’s incentive program.” |
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| IMG Academies |
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May 11, 2010 Manatee County’s economy continues to
score new jobs as IMG Academies plans to add 65 employees over the next three
years with the help of local incentives approved today by the Manatee Board
of County Commissioners. IMG Academies
– the world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training facility for
athletic, academic and personal development – will need the additional
employees to staff new programs, including the IMG Madden Football Academy,
IMG Lacrosse Academy and additional upcoming programs. IMG also plans to
construct a 50,000 sq. ft. dormitory in 2012, with a total of $25 million in
capital investments on the campus in the next five years, according to Chip
McCarthy, director of finance, planning and development at IMG
Academies.
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| “To
continue serving as a world leader in athletic, academic and personal
development, we needed to strategically expand and enhance our facilities and
programs, while providing employees to staff new initiatives,” McCarthy said.
“This grant not only helps our growth and assists our efforts to provide a
significant economic impact, but confirms that Manatee County fully supports
its valued businesses and wants to ensure a bright future for the county’s
economy and workforce.” Sports
performance is a targeted industry in the EDC’s five-year strategy to bring
more jobs to Manatee County residents and create more wealth in the
community, Basinger said. The EDC helped facilitate IMG’s application for
county incentives. “IMG Academies is a
world-renowned sports performance destination for professional and amateur
athletes,” Basinger said. “In addition to the jobs IMG provides, the
academy’s students fuel the local economy through rental accommodations,
retail purchases and restaurant visits.” |
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| IMG
Academies has played a significant role in the area’s economy since opening
as a tennis-only establishment with a handful of students more than 30 years
ago. Since then, the Academy has expanded to seven sports, while attracting
more than 12,000 youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes from more
than 80 countries annually. Additional events like this summer’s 2010 High
School National Championships and yearly Eddie Herr International Junior
Tennis Championships will bring thousands more to the area. “Bringing good jobs to Manatee County
residents is vital to our community’s sustainability,” said Ed Hunzeker,
Manatee County administrator.
“Performance-based incentives for adding good jobs help us attract and
retain employers that our community wants and needs.” The county incentives included up to
$65,000 over five years, and IMG only receives funds as jobs are provided. Jobs
provided by the company must meet or exceed an annual average wage of
$38,619, which is 115 percent of the average wage in Manatee County. |
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| Exactech |
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| Home-Tech |
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| February 24, 2010 There’s more good news on the employment
front in Manatee County with two companies announcing plans to add a combined
51 employees over the next five years with the help of local incentives
approved by Manatee County Government, according to Eric Basinger, executive
director of the Manatee Economic Development Council (EDC). Exactech (NASDQ:EXAC), a medical
manufacturer that located a facility in Manatee County in 2008, plans to add
five more employees in 2010 and a total of 29 over the next five years.
Home-Tech, which provides repair and replacement services for air
conditioning systems and major appliances, will construct a new building for
its regional headquarters in Manatee County and add 22 jobs over five years. |
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| “More,
good jobs for the community is great news any time, and particularly in the
current economic climate,” Basinger said. “The EDC was glad to be part of
bringing Exactech and Home-Tech to the community and helping them grow here.” “Manatee County’s can-do attitude toward
businesses that want to locate and grow here is paying off with jobs for
local residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Performance-based incentives for adding
good jobs and rapid response permitting for companies that are building or
renovating a facility help us attract and retain employers that our community
wants and needs.” |
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| Gainesville,
Fla.-based Exactech
established a new facility in south Manatee County in 2008 to manufacture
surgical instruments used to implant the company’s joint replacement devices.
The company began production in the facility in 2009, and expects to add
employees as the business brings more previously out-sourced manufacturing
in-house, according to John Pelc, Exactech vice president of operations. The
company’s Gainesville headquarters currently designs and manufactures
orthopaedic devices that are used by surgeons in more than 30 countries
around the world. |
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| “The
positions we will add in Manatee County will be in a range of professions
including machinists, quality engineers and other professional positions,”
Pelc said. “The resource pool in Manatee County is allowing us to rapidly
ramp-up our surgical instrument manufacturing operation, which will provide a
significant competitive advantage to drive our long-term growth.” |
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| Home-Tech was
founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, the company’s president and chairman of the
board. The privately held company employs more than 110 people and provides
services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties, according
to the company’s Web site. |
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| The
county incentives included up to $58,000 for Exactech to add 29 jobs over the
next five years. Home-Tech could receive up to $22,000 for adding 21 jobs
over five years, plus the company is eligible for $5,743 in impact fee
refunds. Jobs provided by the companies must exceed the county annual average
wage of $33,582 for the incentives to apply. |
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| Oliphant Financial LLC |
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| Star2Star Communications LLC |
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| February 9, 2010 Two companies that received incentive
grants from Manatee County Government today plan to add up to 210 employees
in 2010, according to Eric Basinger, executive director of the Economic
Development Council (EDC), a division of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
Oliphant Financial LLC, a debt buyer and software provider to that industry,
plans to add 100 to 150 jobs in 2010 at the company’s new financial services
headquarters location in Manatee County. Star2Star Communications LLC, which
develops and provides business grade communications solutions via the
Internet, plans to add up to 60 new employees to support the company’s sales
growth. “The incentive grants provided
by Manatee County Government, which the companies only receive if they hire
and retain employees at wages that exceed the county average, were vital in
helping these growing businesses locate, expand and hire in our community,”
Basinger said. |
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| “Expediting
Oliphant Financial’s relocation and Star2Star’s expansion in cooperation with
the EDC exemplifies the ‘business friendly’ climate we want to promote in
Manatee County,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “Retaining
and growing good jobs now is a high priority in Manatee County.” |
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| The
grant for Oliphant is $133,000 that will be paid out over five years as the
company adds and retains employees. According to the grant agreement, the
company will add 133 new employees over five years for a total of 160
employees. The county also approved an $80,000 incentive grant for Star2Star
Communications, which plans to create 80 communications technology jobs over
the next five years. To qualify for the grants, the companies must provide an
average annual wage higher than the county average wage of $33,582. |
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| Oliphant
Financial moved 30 employees into a 20,000 sf building in Lakewood Ranch in
December 2009. Economic development organizations in Manatee and Sarasota
counties worked together to keep the company in the region when Oliphant
outgrew its downtown Sarasota location. The company needed more space and
wanted to be close to I-75 for access to the Tampa Bay region’s labor pool,
said Tom Noble, Oliphant’s Chief Operating Officer. The company buys debt
from various lenders and then seeks to collect from the borrowers. Oliphant
also has developed a debt buying and collection software application that the
company sells to other firms. |
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| “The
Manatee Economic Development Council worked closely with our counterparts in
Sarasota County and with Manatee County Government to make sure that Oliphant
and its new jobs remain in the region,” Basinger said. “Oliphant is in a
growth industry and provides higher wage jobs our community desperately
needs.” |
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| “Our new location will allow us to accommodate our growth plans,” Noble
said. “We expect to add 100 to 150 employees in the next year as we bring
more of the previously out-sourced debt-collection functions in house.”
Employment candidates should visit the company’s web site at www.oliphantfinancial.com
for information. |
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| Star2Star
moved to Manatee County in 2008 from a smaller location in downtown Sarasota.
A garage-based startup in 2004, the company developed its own software and
technology to provide high quality telephone solutions to businesses using
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). With its product and service proven, the
company in 2009 set up a national dealer organization to serve clients
nationwide, said Norm Worthington, Star2Star CEO. |
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| “Our South Manatee County location allows us to draw employees from
Port Charlotte to Tampa Bay,” Worthington said. The company added 25
employees in the past two years and has a total of 36 employees in Manatee
County. Information about the company is available at www.star2star.com. |
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| Ameritex Fabric Systems |
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| January 6, 2010 The
marriage of once fierce competitors in the marine industry is spinning off a
welcome benefit in Manatee County: new manufacturing jobs with a green twist.
Bradenton-based Ameritex Fabric Systems, which became a division of the
Taylor Made Group in 2009, will supply canvas doors for Chrysler Group Global
Electric Motorcars LLC, according to Don Zirkelbach, Ameritex president. “Our relationship with Global Electric
Motorcars is part of our plan to diversify at least 25 percent of our
business beyond the marine industry,” said Zirkelbach, whose company has 58
employees and plans to add 10 to 20 manufacturing jobs in the next year. “The
combination of Taylor Made and Ameritex with our numerous patents opens up
tremendous opportunities.” |
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| The
global recession hit the marine industry hard, leading to job losses and
plant closures across the industry, including in Manatee County. The entire
industry “had to hit the reset button” and create new business models and
ways of doing business, Zirkelbach said. In the case of Ameritex and Taylor
Made, Ameritex moved into part of a Taylor Made facility and is focusing on
fabric-related products while Taylor Made will concentrate on windshield
design and manufacturing, he said. Taylor Made recently closed a fabric plant
in Georgia and integrated the operation into Ameritex in Bradenton, bringing
additional jobs to Manatee County. The
electric car industry is one diversity target for Ameritex. Global Electric Motorcars
makes six different models of battery-powered GEM cars primarily suited for
intra-city use. GEM cars are used by local, state and national government
agencies, resorts, master-planned communities, universities, medical and
corporate campuses, as well as by sports teams, taxi-shuttle services and
individual consumers. Ameritex is also looking at the resort, consumer,
recreational vehicle and golf cart industries. |
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| “The
Ameritex story exemplifies how companies in the marine industry are
restructuring to survive and thrive,” said Eric Basinger, executive director
of the Economic Development Council (EDC), a division of the Manatee Chamber
of Commerce. The EDC has assisted Ameritex over the years with employee
recruitment and facilities permitting. “The focus on diversifying into other
industries, in addition to marine products, is generating new jobs for local
residents.” |
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| Companies on the Move
- 2009 |
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| Trod Medical |
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| December 14, 2009 Trod Medical
S.A, a medical equipment manufacturer based in Paris, France, opened its U.S.
headquarters in the Lakewood Ranch area of Manatee County in September. The
Florida location will spearhead the company’s launch of its FDA-approved
surgical device in early summer 2010 focusing in areas of urology, radiation
oncology and interventional radiology according to Manfred Sablowski, vice
president and COO of Trod Medical US LLC.
“The U.S. market is the largest market in the world for our Encage™
surgical device,” said Sablowski, who is originally from Frankfurt, Germany
and now lives in Manatee County. “This area of Florida has the infrastructure
we need.” Dr. Andre Faure, who is the world wide president and CEO of Trod
Medical as well as a medical doctor and inventor of the Encage™ device,
founded the company in Europe in 2006. He convinced Sablowski and Brook
Peterson of Orlando, president and CEO of Trod Medical US LLC, to join him in
the Trod Medical venture. Sablowski and Peterson each have more than 20 years
of experience in the medical technology field. They met while working at a
Pfizer unit in the United States. |
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Sablowski
said that Trod is planning to hire distribution and office staff for the
Manatee County office and distribution facility by mid 2010 and will also
assemble a team of regional sales directors around the country. Trod expects
to hire several employees initially for the Manatee location, he said. “Manatee County is cultivating a cluster of
medical equipment designers and manufacturers, and Trod’s entry from its
European base is an exciting chapter in that story,” said Eric Basinger,
executive director of the Economic Development Council (EDC), a division of
the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The EDC is assisting Trod with various
business resources to help the company ramp up quickly. “Trod’s arrival is
further evidence of Manatee County’s appeal to European businesses wanting to
expand into the U.S. market. We look forward to the day when Trod Medical’s
manufacturing operation also is located in our community.”
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| Trod’s
patented Encage™ device gained FDA approval in October 2008, Sablowski said.
The device is used to treat soft tissues involving the prostate, liver and
kidney. It uses radio frequency technology to heat diseased tissue and halt
its growth. The FDA approval was a key factor allowing the company to enter
the U.S. market and open a U.S. facility, he said. “There are so many medical equipment
manufacturers in Europe that would love to enter the US market, but they
don’t have the knowledge of how to go about getting FDA approval,” Sablowski
said. “It is a difficult process, but we believe it will be well worth the
effort because of the potential in the U.S. market.” |
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| Teltronics |
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| December 8, 2009 Teltronics
Inc. (OTCBB: TELT), which provides communications products and services,
relocated its headquarters to Gulf Coast Corporate Park in north Manatee
County. Teltronics designs, develops
and manufactures electronic equipment and applications software systems that
enhance the performance of communications networks. The new headquarters
facility includes 21,520 sq. ft. of office space and 30,000 sq. ft. of
manufacturing space. Manufacturing at the new facility is scheduled to begin
the first quarter of 2010. The company has 114 employees in Manatee County
and 188 worldwide, according to Ewen Cameron, Teltronics CEO. “Located near the I-75 and I-275
interchange, the new location will vastly improve company visibility and
attract personnel in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota/Bradenton and surrounding
areas,” Cameron said. “After 27 years at the previous location, we are
pleased to find an outstanding, new facility to proudly showcase our company
and products to worldwide clients, partners, potential business associates
and the community. At the same time, we are creating an environment that
reflects the future of our business.” |
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| “Part
of having a strong existing industry program is being able to assist
companies like Teltronics when they undertake a major effort, such as a
corporate move, which triggered the permitting assistance program,” Basinger
said. “If we are going to create a more diverse economy in Manatee County, we
must concentrate not only on attracting new targeted businesses, but also on
retention and expansion of our existing businesses, such as Teltronics.” “The Manatee Economic Development Council
helped make the move to Palmetto a smooth transition by serving as the
liaison between Teltronics and county personnel,” Cameron said. “The swift
decision to relocate would not have come to fruition had it not been for the
assistance of staff in the county’s building department and economic
development department. We are pleased to continue to call Manatee County
home to the Teltronics headquarters.” |
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| “Expediting
Teltronics’ relocation in cooperation with the EDC exemplified the ‘business
friendly’ climate we want to promote in Manatee County,” said Ed Hunzeker,
Manatee County administrator. “Retaining and growing good jobs in Manatee
County is a high priority.” |
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| DemanData Systems |
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| November 17, 2009 DemanData Systems, a leader in supply
chain information technology for the healthcare industry, relocated its
corporate headquarters into a newly renovated building in the Gulf Coast
Corporate Park of Palmetto in Manatee County in October. DemanData employs
100 people in four states; 40 employees are located in Manatee County. “We appreciated having the opportunity to
work with DemanData Systems, a targeted information technology employer, on
this expansion,” said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Economic
Development Council (EDC), a division of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The
EDC helped facilitate DemanData’s relocation from their facility in the
southern portion of Manatee County to their new location in the Gulf Coast
Corporate Park through the county's rapid response permitting program. |
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| “DemanData’s
relocation to Palmetto is a prime example of how county government and the
private sector can work together to bring more high-wage jobs to Manatee
County,” said Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. “We are focused on
delivering the services that businesses need to locate and expand here, while
maintaining our community’s high standards for quality of life.” "The relationship between DemanData
Systems and the rapid response permitting team in Manatee County is a great
example of how a vision can be turned into reality, quickly and efficiently,”
said Maureen Donovan, the company’s vice president of marketing. “We are
looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the community here
in Manatee County.” |
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| Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC |
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| August 31, 2009 Mustang
Vacuum Systems LLC will relocate and expand its manufacturing operation in
Manatee County where the company plans to add 125 jobs in the next two years
at an annual average wage of more than $44,000. “The Economic Development
Council, Manatee Chamber of Commerce (EDC) was pleased to help Mustang Vacuum
Systems find the right location for the company’s expansion,” said Eric
Basinger, EDC executive director. “Mustang was located in Sarasota County for
four years, and in partnership with Sarasota County, Manatee County
government and the State of Florida, we were able to keep this fine company –
and its growing number of higher-wage jobs – in the region.” “We are excited to be relocating and
expanding our manufacturing facility in Manatee County,” said Richard
Greenwell, president of Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC. “With the EDC’s
assistance, we were able to locate a facility and secure a grant from Manatee
County. This will reduce some costs of our technology project, which is
geared toward lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of solar cells
so that clean, renewable solar energy can be a viable choice for everyone.” |
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| The
50,000-square-foot facility in Sarasota Commerce Center in South Manatee
County will allow Mustang to expand its production of thin-film solar
photovoltaic cell equipment, Greenwell said. With the goal of reducing solar
energy costs, the company has designed and built three types of machines to
meet the needs and specifications of solar cell manufacturers. Customers are
now looking for larger, higher volume machines, which will provide greater
performance and output, he said. Mustang’s expanded production capacity will
drive down the cost of solar energy for consumers by incorporating
technologies into solar cell production that will reduce costs as well as
increase efficiency of the cells, he added. |
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| Mustang Vacuum Systems LLC, an affiliate of Mustang Dynamometer,
manufactures vacuum coating and metalizing equipment, including sputtering
machines, optical coating units, and batch metalizers. The Mustang Group has
been in business over 25 years. Mustang Vacuum Systems currently employs 25
people at its Sarasota County location. The company will be operating in its
location in the South Manatee County by the end of 2009, Greenwell said, and
plans to increase its staff to 150 by the end of 2011. With assistance from
the EDC and consultant Ryan Inc., Mustang successfully applied for state and
local grants to facilitate the expansion. The grants will be expended based
on the company’s performance in creating the new jobs at the anticipated
salaries. |
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| Dulond Tool & Engineering Inc. |
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July 13, 2009 High school
and college marching bands across the United States are hustling on and off
competition fields more efficiently using specialized carts created by
Manatee County’s Dulond Tool & Engineering Inc. The company, which moved
into a new 13,000-square-foot facility in June, has sold its patented
LoadMaestro carts to schools from Alabama to Texas and from the Carolinas to
Michigan. "We originally designed
the LoadMaestro cart to help the Lakewood Ranch High School marching band get
its equipment on and off the field more efficiently for competitions,” said
Jeff Benson, Dulond Tool & Engineering president and owner. “Now we’re
looking at LoadMaestro products to account for up to 20 percent of sales
within the next few years.”
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Dulond’s
business, which is primarily focused in machining and assembly, has
traditionally come from the aviation, aerospace, computer chip and marine
industries. The company has 13 employees and has signed with a distributor in
Chicago to market the band carts. In addition, Benson said the company hopes
to be part of a security-related project that could stimulate hiring in
2009-2010. The new building allowed Dulond to move out of leased space and is
adjacent to a building the company already owns. “Dulond Tool & Engineering is an
example of the product innovation and market diversification that is helping
Manatee County companies grow in today’s marketplace,” said Eric Basinger,
executive director of the Economic Development Council, Manatee Chamber of
Commerce (EDC), which assisted Dulond’s expansion through the EDC rapid
response permitting program. “Benson and his team saw an opportunity and went
for it. The EDC is proud to have played a part in helping Dulond expand its
footprint in Manatee County.”
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| Kopco Graphics |
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| May 21, 2009 Kopco Graphics, which specializes in
flexographic printing of pressure sensitive labels, stickers and food-grade
labels -- has tripled its Manatee County footprint in a 12,000 sq. ft.
facility to accommodate more equipment and expanded services for global
brands. The Fairfield, Ohio-based
company expanded into Manatee County in 2003 with the purchase of a Bradenton
printing business. Kopco Operations Manager Shane Barrett said the company
expects to continue growing through stronger Internet marketing and internal
sales. He plans to add up to three employees in 2009 in production and
customer service. “Our business is
strongly focused in food and nutritional supplements. Despite the slow
economy, people are still eating and taking their vitamins,” Barrett said.
“Sales revenues were up 25 percent in 2008 over the previous year, and we are
achieving a 17-percent growth rate so far this year. We hope to outgrow our
new facility within five years. When that happens, we’ll stay in Manatee
County.” |
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| In
March 2009, Kopco received the Eugene Singer Award for Management Excellence,
which recognizes excellence in business management measured by growth
and profitability ratios established by the Tag and Label Manufacturers
Institute. Kopco also received the institute’s top award in technical
achievement for a hang tag label created for a popular water product. |
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| Healthy Chocolate Florida LLC |
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| April 23, 2009 A company
that hopes to revolutionize the chocolate business is gearing up a new, 6,000
sq. ft. research laboratory and manufacturing facility in Manatee County.
Healthy Chocolate Florida LLC founder Aharon Friedman, Ph.D., said that
pending government inspections, the company’s management team will begin
testing the manufacturing line in April and production will ramp up in
May. “We are eager to start production
using our patent-pending process to create a high-quality, sugar-free
chocolate that includes natural ingredients to help people control blood
sugar levels and reduce hunger,” said Friedman, who expects to add seven
production employees by the end of May for a total of 12 full-time and two
part-time employees. “We have been able to finish out and move into our
facility faster than I expected by being part of Manatee County’s Rapid
Response permitting program facilitated by the EDC. We completed our
permitting in record time. |
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| “We
use all organic materials as we are able to get them, including using Xylitol
harvested from organic trees,” Friedman said. “And by the end of 2009, we
expect to be using most of the organic cocoa grown in the world. We are
talking with people in two South American countries about increasing their
organic cocoa production.” |
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| Veethree Electronics and Marine LLC |
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| April 1, 2009 Illinois-based Veethree Electronics and
Marine LLC, OEM supplier of mechanical and electronic instrumentation, has
located its global engineering headquarters in Manatee County through the
combined effort of economic development organizations in Manatee and Sarasota
counties and Manatee County Government. Veethree, which acquired the assets
of the Gauge Division of Teleflex Inc. that is closing operations in Lakewood
Ranch, also hired more than 50 people whose jobs would have been lost when
Teleflex closed. The EDC and the
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County collaborated to find the
right location for Veethree in the region. The company qualified for Manatee County’s
Rapid Response Permitting program to help it get up and running more quickly.
In March, Manatee County Commissioners a resolution that would allow Veethree
to qualify for up to $60,000 of tax incentives based upon the number and wage
of jobs created. Veethree will
manufacture the existing Teleflex product line serving the marine and
industrial markets in its 35,000-sq.-ft. Manatee County facility, which will
be the company’s global engineering headquarters. |
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| Founded
in 1976, Veethree has a worldwide presence as an OEM, defense and aftermarket
supplier of instrumentation, clusters, sensors and switches. "We are very pleased to have the
opportunity to continue the great traditions of superior quality and styling
that Teleflex has brought to the instrumentation industry for the last 40
years," said Shekhar Tewatia, vice president of Veethree. "This
acquisition gives us a chance to enter the marine industry and consolidate
Veethree's position in the industrial segment. We are also very fortunate
that many members of the Teleflex team have decided to join us. We are most
appreciative of the assistance we received locally from economic development
organizations and Manatee County Government." |
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| Trinity Manufacturing |
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| March 31, 2009 Trinity Manufacturing Corporation announced
that it has relocated and expanded its manufacturing operations in
Bradenton. Trinity Manufacturing
President Jim Fitch stated, “By moving into our new 18,000 square foot
facility, Trinity Manufacturing has doubled its manufacturing capacity. Since we began operations in January 2004,
we have realized outstanding growth in customers and sales. Our new facility supports our plans for
continued growth. We are pleased that
our new facility, located in Saunders Industrial Park, is close to our
previous operation which has minimized the disruption to our operations,
customers and suppliers.” Trinity
Manufacturing employs 26 people and is a contract manufacturer of cable
assemblies, wiring harnesses, and electrical panel and box assemblies for
original equipment manufacturers (OEM), distributors and contractors serving
a wide variety of industries, including defense, aerospace, medical
equipment, emergency service vehicles, commercial construction, and others. |
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| Steelgate, Inc. |
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| March 9, 2009 A Manatee County company that provides
storage and inventory management of biomedical specimens for medical
research, has opened an office in Belgium and relocated two employees to
expand business in Europe. Steelgate will replace the two employees in
Manatee County and plans to add two more positions by mid-year, said Kate
Grayson, Steelgate’s president and CEO. Since late 2008, the company hired a
global director of sales and marketing and promoted the company’s facility
manager to director of operations and the facility supervisor to facility
manager. “Our expansion, hiring and internal promotions are results of the
growing demand for our services in storing and managing inventories of
biomedical specimens,” Grayson said. “Europe is a significant research market
with Belgium being at the crossroads and in a growth mode. Steelgate has
provided services in the United States to its European clients, but being in
Europe will help reduce the cost of international shipping and open up
business development opportunities in Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and
the United Kingdom.” |
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| “Steelgate’s
growth since relocating from New York to Manatee County in 2004 is an
encouraging sign for the potential of the biomedical industry in our region,”
Engel said. “The company’s European expansion invites new possibilities for
focusing the spotlight on Manatee County as a viable home for biomedical
businesses.” The EDC recently
facilitated an international trade grant of $1,750 to help Steelgate attend a
leading life sciences conference in Europe that unites more than 500
companies from 20 nations, Engel said. |
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| Sleek Audio |
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| March 9, 2009 While many businesses are suffering layoffs
and slower sales, Sleek Audio in Manatee County expects to triple sales over
2008 and plans to create an additional 15 positions in the next year. Sleek Audio makes in-ear earphones that
allow music lovers to hear with unprecedented quality, said Jason Krywko,
chief operating officer. |
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| The
company performs almost all of its manufacturing at its Palmetto location, he
said, and is seeking to move the last of its manufacturing operations to
Manatee County from China. “We’re
looking for injection molding partners in the local area to work with us,” he
said. “We believe in keeping the product as American-made as possible. We
collaborated on the original design of our SA6 ‘in-ear earphone’ with a local
firm, ROBRADY design, and wrote our initial business plan with the help of a
University of South Florida professor.”
Sleek Audio spun off from Krywko’s parents’ business, Eartech Hearing
Aids, which was formed in Manatee County 30 years ago. Sleek Audio’s
patent-pending technology started as an experiment combining a custom ear
mold with a hearing aid speaker to reduce airplane noise on a flight Krywko’s
parents were taking. Last year, Sleek Audio launched the SA6 to rave industry
reviews, winning the Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award for 2008.
Krywko says he has seen no indication that the global recession is affecting
sales. The company sells its products worldwide, and international sales
outpace domestic orders. |
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| Companies on the Move
- 2008 |
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| Quasar Bio-tech Inc. |
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Quasar
Bio-tech Inc., which produces light therapy devices for use by medical
professionals and consumers, is planning to move its manufacturing to Manatee
County and add up to 24 employees in 2009.
“We anticipate triple-digit growth to continue with the introduction
of new technology in the first half of 2009,” said Peter Nesbitt, Quasar
Bio-tech president. “To facilitate our market expansion, we plan to bring
manufacturing in-house and staff up accordingly.” Quasar Bio-Tech relocated from Valley
Forge, PA in August to 2,500 sq. ft. of leased space in South Manatee County.
The cost of doing business and workforce availability were key factors in the
company’s decision to locate in Manatee County, Nesbitt said. Quasar Bio-Tech
currently has six employees and uses a vendor in Texas for
manufacturing. The company is seeking
local suppliers, such as printed circuit board makers, to facilitate its
expansion In Manatee. In 2001, Quasar
Bio-tech began marketing red and infrared light therapy devices to
professionals for medical and cosmetic use.
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| In
2007, the company introduced photo rejuvenation devices to the consumer
marketplace and continues to be the only brand that uses professional,
medical grade technology, Nesbitt said. The company’s two best-selling
consumer products are the Baby Quasar for photo rejuvenation and the Baby
Blue for treating acne. The products are sold on-line and at retailers like
Dillard’s. Nesbitt plans to expand into international markets in 2010. |
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| Exactech |
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| Gainesville,
Fla.-based Exactech (Nasdaq: EXAC) is establishing a new facility in south
Manatee County to manufacture surgical instruments used to implant the
company’s joint replacement devices.
The 13,000-square-foot facility, located at 7455 16th St. E, is
scheduled to begin operations in December. Exactech expects to hire 12
employees during the initial start-up phase of its manufacturing and support
operations. The company’s Gainesville, Fla., headquarters currently designs
and manufactures orthopaedic devices that are used by surgeons in more than
30 countries around the world. According to Exactech Vice President of
Operations John Pelc, “The decision to begin producing our own instruments,
which have previously been outsourced, will allow Exactech to maintain a high
level of customer responsiveness and flexibility. We chose Manatee County for
its business-friendly approach to attracting new, high-tech businesses, as
well as its proximity to large population bases from which to draw skilled
employees.” |
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| Orbeco-Hellige |
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| A
Long Island manufacturer of instruments for testing water and wastewater is
relocating to Manatee County. The EDC
assisted Orbeco-Hellige Inc. with its plans to relocate from New York and
hire at least eight employees locally at a 15,000-square-foot facility the
company purchased in Parkland Center.
Orbeco-Hellige is relocating to Florida primarily to reduce expenses
on facilities and taxes, said President Brad Martell, who already lives in
Bradenton. Martell plans to begin operations at the Manatee County facility
this fall. |
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