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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Safran’s Labinal Power Systems Expands Manatee County, Florida, Operations Hub

02/19/2016
Safran, through its subsidiary Labinal Power Systems, is expanding its current facility and workforce in Manatee County, Florida. The expansions will support the firm’s relocation to The Sunshine State.

According to Sharon Hillstrom, President/CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., this expansion will include the relocation of the Aerosource operations from Somerset, New Jersey to South Manatee County in the course of 2016. Aerosource was acquired by Safran in 2011 and is a world leader in maintenance, repair and overhaul service for airborne electrical equipment.

The move will add new jobs in the next five years and include substantial building improvements and a new, high-level information system. It will also include major employee training programs and enhanced security, according to Safran executives.

“This expansion of Safran’s presence in the Bradenton area not only will bring additional high-impact jobs and capital investment; it also demonstrates that Manatee County is becoming a hub for the aerospace industry, one of the targeted sectors in the EDC’s new strategic plan,” Hillstrom said. “The EDC helped the company navigate the sources and terms of state and county economic development incentives and workforce development assistance.”

According to Denis Schaffer, Labinal Power Systems operations director, co-locating Aerosource’s operations near the center of aerospace after-market activities (MRO: maintenance, repair and overhaul) will enhance the company’s marketing capabilities for new business while significantly reducing costs. It will also allow Labinal Power Systems, a global leader in aeronautical power and electric systems to provide innovative, custom solutions for clients.

“We would like to thank the State of Florida, Manatee County Government and the Bradenton Area EDC for helping Safran achieve its objective. This expansion is fully dedicated to supporting our military and commercial customers with our proven power distribution solutions, created in first-class manufacturing facilities,” he added.

“Safran has grown its presence in Florida over the years via its five businesses and joint ventures, and currently employs approximately 500 people at locations across the state,” said Peter Lengyel, President/CEO of Safran USA. “Our Florida-based companies are dedicated to manufacturing and MRO activities for aircraft equipment and systems.”

“This continued expansion demonstrates our long-term commitment to the U.S. Through partnerships, organic growth, and investment of nearly $2.8 billion in the U.S. over the past few years in acquisitions and new facilities, Safran has more than doubled our number of employees and acquired new technologies and capabilities to support our long-term strategy. As we approach nearly half a century of presence here, we will continue to create jobs and bring cutting-edge technologies to our U.S. customers,” Lengyel added.

The expansion at Labinal Power Systems qualified for $1.2 million in performance-based economic development incentives from the State of Florida and Manatee County Government. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved $282,490 in local support based on the creation of 84 new high-impact jobs over the next five years.

“The Manatee County Board of Commissioners is excited to welcome this expansion of a global company in an industry such as aerospace, which is growing and that generates high-wage jobs,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. “By judiciously applying economic development investments, the Board of County Commissioners is helping to foster a more diverse economy to support a desirable quality of life for county residents.”

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