Area Development
An aerospace supplier, Archo Solutions Engineering USA, will open its first U.S. facility at Melbourne Florida International Airport, as the Brazilian-based company seeks to tap into American commercial and executive jet markets.

“Archo looked at many sites in the U.S. but has chosen Brevard County, and Melbourne specifically, mostly because of its community and the offer of qualified high-tech personnel,” said Ivan Avila, Archo’s chief operations officer. “The Melbourne aerospace cluster plays a major role in the aeronautics, defense and aviation segments internationally and Archo will position itself to further this role.”

The firm, which has common ownership with Solutions Designs & Engineering of Sao Paolo, Brazil, will initially establish design & engineering and cables operations at its facility at the Florida Tech Research Park in Brevard County, Florida. The 2,400-acre research park was developed by Florida Tech in partnership with Melbourne International Airport.

Employing at least 50 people by 2016, the company will focus on the development of concepts and design engineering solutions for projects in aeronautical, automotive and naval sectors, along with the production of cabling, avionics racks, electrical boxes, panels and wire harnesses. Consultancy and project management, as well as growth in the established segments, could generate more jobs and increased capital investment in the future, the company said.

“Archo is an outstanding addition to our increasingly diverse economy in general, and our burgeoning aviation sector in particular,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “Its choice to open its first North American operation on the Space Coast reinforces the international status our aviation industry has and continues to develop.”

“Archo Solution’s decision to come to the Florida Tech Research Park at the Melbourne International Airport shows what can be accomplished when our community teams together,” said John Thomas, assistant vice president for economic development and community affairs at Florida Tech. “The EDC, airport, City of Melbourne, our elected officials, and FIT all worked hand in hand to first bring this cutting-edge company here, and to make their expansion from Brazil as seamless as possible. This is a significant step in our efforts to build an international aviation-aerospace community here in Melbourne.”

The new jobs will pay an average of $50,000, and the company will invest more than $1 million in equipment at its new home at 1135 NASA Blvd. on airport property. The company was awarded ad valorem tax abatements from Brevard County and the City of Melbourne, as well as state incentives.