 |
||||||
| For Immediate Release
Garmin Anounces Expansion Salem, Oregon - GARMIN AT, Inc. has announced that it is expanding its 55,000 sq ft facility at the Salem airport to include a 6,000 sq. ft. research facility and a 6,000 sq. ft. hangar. The expansion signals a renewed commitment to Salem. The company will retain 150 engineering and manufacturing jobs and expects to employ 166 within the next two years. Garmin AT designs, manufactures, markets and supports communication, navigation, and surveillance products for general aviation and air transport customers. The company has a long-standing positive reputation with the customers it has served over the years, starting with LORAN technology of the 1980s and moving into the aviation navigation and communication technologies of today. The former UPS Aviation facility was purchased by Garmin International, Inc. in the fall of 2003. “We became determined to become more cost competitive when compared to Garmin’s Taiwan and Olathe, Kansas facilities” says Gloria Bracy, Controller and Administration Manager of the Salem facility. Garmin AT’s renewed commitment is largely attributed to a collaboration of Local and State economic development partners, who worked to retain the company in the Salem area and to provide incentives for its continued growth. Working with SEDCOR and State economic development officials, the company received the following: a strategic boost to the companies Technology Platform through a $125,000 grant from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund; Workforce training grant from the Enterprise for Employment and Education ; Lean Manufacturing Assessment by OMEP( OR Manufacturing Extension Partnership) through a grant from the local Gateway Project ; Microsoft Systems Training through Chemeketa Community College; Enterprise Zone benefits certified by SEDCOR; and expedited permit processing using Salem’s new Project Monitor System. “The proactive involvement of these economic development partners made a big impact on our corporate headquarters, giving us the green flag to proceed with expansion,” states John Macnab, General Manager. “We will be developing new products that leverage technology, creativity and resources of the whole organization. We will be developing the best-of-breed-line of products at this facility.” “Retaining employers by improving their competitiveness, both here and abroad, is a benchmark of our economic development agenda” says Governor Ted Kulongoski. “We are pleased to contribute to the company’s success.” “This is collaboration at its best,” comments Janet Taylor, Mayor of Salem. “Positive collaboration is what we are becoming known for in this region, and that will bode well for future expansions as well as business recruiting.” John McNab, Garmin AT, Inc. - 503-391-3200 |
||||||