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Trudy McCarthy
Sr Director, Marketing & Strategic Initiatives
(321) 638-2000
TMccarthy@SpaceCoastEDC.org
 

EDC Awards Rockwell Collins with Large Manufacturer of the Year

Adding 148 jobs in the 1st quarter of 2018, Rockwell Collins is making significant contributions to the Space Coast community.
 

Space Coast, FL (May 10, 2018) – At the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast’s (EDC) 5th Annual Made In Brevard Expo, Rockwell Collins was awarded with the 2018 Large Manufacturer of the Year Award.

The EDC’s Manufacturer of the Year award recognizes a Brevard County manufacturer that in the past 24 months has made or announced a significant investment in Brevard County through job creation and/or retention, new capital investment, and/or new construction. The company also demonstrates leadership in corporate citizenship, making key contributions to the region’s quality of life, demonstrating long-term commitment to the Space Coast.

“Rockwell Collins remains a leader in the manufacturing industry on the Space Coast,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the EDC. “Their commitment and investment to our community and our workforce make them a champion for fueling the future generations of manufacturing in Brevard County.”

Rockwell Collins currently employs over 600 engineers and nearly one thousand production workers across their multi-site Melbourne campus. In the first quarter of 2018, the company added 148 manufacturing employees and plans to add additional employees in the coming months.

“We’ve been very committed to the Melbourne region for years and it’s an honor to be recognized for our continued investments,” said Todd Twachtmann, Vice President, Melbourne and Programs Management for Rockwell Collins. “It’s important for Rockwell Collins to continue to be involved in the well-being and growth of the communities that we live and work in.”

An early supporter of the EDC’s Talent Asset Pipeline (TAP) program, Rockwell Collins has facilitated tours to Certified Production Technician (CPT) students and has guided the EDC’s efforts to calibrate and enhance the CPT program, which provides the necessary skills for entry-level production workers. Additionally, Rockwell Collins assisted the EDC on the development of its Live Big talent attraction campaign, which communicates the lifestyle and culture of the Space Coast region to prospective engineering talent across the nation.

Additionally, Rockwell Collins is currently developing videos, which will feature stories about employees who have grown in their careers through manufacturing employment. These stories will showcase the company’s tuition support programs with the goal to share these messages with high school students.

Past winners of this prestigious award include:

• 2012 – Harris Corporation
• 2014 – Sun Nuclear Corporation
• 2015 – MC Assembly
• 2016 – Paragon Plastics, Inc.
• 2017 – Embraer

The EDC’s Made In Brevard Expo showcases the amazing products and designs that are produced locally, to educate the community on the depth of the Space Coast’s robust manufacturing industry. Additionally, the Expo is designed to drive interest in career opportunities in modern manufacturing. By communicating the positive image of manufacturing and the rewarding careers in the sector, the Made In Brevard Expo helps build the skilled talent needed to support the region’s 500+ manufacturing companies.

For more information on the Space Coast’s manufacturing industry, visit www.ManufacturingInBrevard.org

Pictured – Phil Hayes, EDC’s Chair of the Board and Ken Brace, Owner Rapid Prototyping Services, presents Mike King, Principal Manager, Project Management for Rockwell Collins with the 2018 Large Manufacturer of the Year Award. (L-R) Hayes, Collins, and Brace.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org