TAMPA, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 26, 2018 — Today, Siemens and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation celebrated the grand opening of their new joint venture, Advanced Airfoil Components, in Hillsborough County. This partnership represents a capital investment of $139 million and will add 350 jobs for Floridians. Advanced Airfoil Components will hire workers for a range of skilled positions, including technical engineers, manufacturing technicians and production workers, as well as human resources, finance, procurement and logistics, and operations roles.

“Advanced Airfoil Components’ new facility demonstrates Siemens' commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology solutions for our power and gas customers in the United States and throughout the world,” said Lisa Davis, CEO Energy, Siemens AG. “Not only does this joint venture help reduce costs and support our supply chain needs, but it will create 350 high-wage, skilled positions, including technical engineers, manufacturing technicians and production workers and expand Siemens more than 5,000 employees footprint in Florida.”

“Advanced Airfoil Components is proud to exclusively deliver innovative, high-tech casting components for Siemens gas turbines at this new, state-of-the-art site,” said Kevin Updegrove, CEO, Advanced Airfoil Components. “The new space will allow Advanced Airfoil Components to grow this new business with Siemens and Chromalloy, taking our partnership to the next level.”

“Chromalloy is committed to advancing the technological development and job growth in the aerospace and energy industries throughout Florida,” said Tom Mepham, CEO of Sequa Corporation, the parent company of Chromalloy. “Our collaboration with Siemens in the creation of Advanced Airfoil Components is a natural progression in our partnership that will ensure success and financial profitability in this market space.” This announcement reflects Chromalloy’s continuing investment in Florida, which includes a current footprint of five locations and over 700 employees.

Florida ranks among the nation's top 10 states for manufacturing and is home to over 19,000 manufacturers. More than 331,000 Floridians work in the state's manufacturing industries and the state’s schools, community colleges, and universities are among the nation's top producers of STEM graduates. In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida the No. 1 state for higher education for the second consecutive year.

Peter Antonacci, CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “Enterprise Florida is proud that Siemens and Chromalloy decided to locate the Advanced Airfoil Components headquarters and manufacturing facility in Tampa and create 350 jobs for Florida families. Thank you for your commitment to an investment in Florida.”

Cissy Proctor, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said, “Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida has worked hard to create a strong, business-friendly environment, and it shows when global companies like Siemens continue to expand in our state. We are excited for the opportunities these new jobs will bring hardworking Florida families.”

“Manufacturing has a long history in Hillsborough County and continues to be a target industry for us because it’s a source of innovation for a wide range of industries and offers high growth potential for our local economy,” said Craig J. Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO of Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. “The addition of Advanced Airfoil Components will bring great prestige to Hillsborough County, and we are committed to supporting them as they establish and grow their operations here.”

This project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Hillsborough County, and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.

Background on Facility and Workforce:

The Advanced Airfoil Components (AAC) casting facility is 210,000 square feet and will enable production of the entire range of blades and vanes for Siemens gas turbine fleet, including the newest 9000HL. The facility equipment build-out is being done in stages and will be completed over the next four years. The stand-alone manufacturing plant, which began construction last year, was established to exclusively supply Siemens with casting components for its gas turbines.

In 2019, AAC will recruit to fill a wide-range of positions and plans to work with the industry-led partnership organization Florida Makes to recruit veterans and other highly-skilled employees from the state’s manufacturing sector.

Download B-roll footage of Advanced Airfoil Components

***

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched  “Florida | The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 377,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $92.0 billion in fiscal 2017. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $23.3 billion, including $5.0 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.