MELBOURNE – Embraer Executive Jets is expected to formally announce this week that it’s transferring all Phenom 100 and 300 assembly operations to its facility at Melbourne International Airport over the next year.
The news eventually will mean more aviation technician hires but the additional employment won’t happen immediately. It will be a more drawn out hiring process over the next few years as the increased assembly business ramps up, Embraer representatives say.
“The ramp up of Melbourne’s production will occur very gradually throughout 2015 and be completed in 2016,” the company said in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY.
Embraer opened its Melbourne facility in February 2011 to assemble the Phenom series of executive jets. Embraer has also been assembling the jets in Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil. Embraer’s plant in Botucatu, Brazil, will continue to manufacture and export the wing and fuselage for the Phenom 100 and 300.
At Melbourne International Airport, Embraer also is expanding operations to assembly the company’s larger Legacy 450/500 jets. And last September, Embraer opened its Engineering and Technology Center USA at the airport.
“We continue to earn the badge as ‘America’s fastest growing aviation and aerospace manufacturing center,’ ” said Greg Donovan, executive director of Melbourne International Airport.
“Back in 2008, Embraer dipped its toes in the waters of Melbourne,” Donovan said. “They liked the quality of life and business climate they found here and realized over the years that the Melbourne Airport Authority is deeply committed to Embraer’s future growth and success at MLB for many years to come.”
• About 300 employees in the Phenom operation, between the Customer Center, production and customer support;
• 100 engineers in the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center, with another 100 hires expected by 2017.
• 600 jobs will be added, starting in 2016, for the Legacy 450/500 assembly operation.
Embraer’s news about Melbourne, as well as other announcements, will be made this week at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Switzerland.