Safran to expand Manatee manufacturing facility, add 84 jobs
Safran to expand, add 84 jobs
MANATEE -- Safran, through its subsidiary Labinal Power Systems, is expanding its manufacturing facility in Manatee County to support the aerospace industry's move toward more electric aircraft.
The expansion will include the relocation of the company's Aerosource operations from Somerset, N.J., to Manatee County. Aerosource was acquired by Safran in 2011. It specializes in the maintenance, repair and overhaul service for airborne electrical equipment
The move will add new jobs in the next five years and include building improvements and a new, high-level information system. It also will include employee training programs and enhanced security.
According to a Safran news release, the Aerosource move will bring 84 new jobs to the county. Data compiled by the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. shows Safran already has 204 employees working at its local facility.
Labinal Power Systems entered Manatee County in 2014, when it purchased an Eaton Corp. facility on Whitfield Avenue.
SRQ passenger volumes, flights are up in 2016
MANATEE -- It's already a busy year at Sarasota- Bradenton International Airport.
According to February traffic figures released by airport officials, the month had significantly more flights and commercial passengers than the same period in 2015. A total of 119,958 commercial airline passengers went through SRQ during the month, up 7.33 percent from the previous year. For 2016 to date, passenger volumes are up 6.4 percent.
Total aircraft operations jumped by about 25 percent year over year, with the biggest increase in military flights. Those were up more than 76 percent. For the year, total aircraft operations are up nearly 14 percent over 2015.
Firkins Nissan to host business-after-hours
BRADENTON -- Firkins Nissan will host the Manatee Chamber of Commerce's business-after-hours 5-7 p.m. on April 12 at 1611 Cortez Road W.
The networking event is free for chamber members and $10 for guests. There will be complimentary food and beverages. No RSVP is required.
Sun Hydraulics reports 2015 sales of $200M
MANATEE -- Sun Hydraulics Corp. has reported it ended 2015 with sales of $200.7 million. That number is down 12 percent from the previous year.
Allen Carlson, Sun's president and CEO, said the 2015 financial results were "sluggish coming off of a strong 2014." According to a company news release, 2015 sales to the Americas decreased 13 percent. Demand in the Asia-Pacific region was down 9 percent. Europe was down 11 percent.
Publicly traded Sun Hydraulics is a designer and manufacturer of screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds for worldwide industrial and mobile markets.
-- Herald staff reports
This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Safran to expand Manatee manufacturing facility, add 84 jobs ."