The test solutions company expands Orlando’s footprint and positions the company for future growth.
Orlando, Fla. – Astronics Test Systems (ATS), a subsidiary of Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTRO), is moving its headquarters from Irvine, California, to Orlando. The company currently employs 125 employees in Orlando and plans to add 60 new local hires over the next two years, paying an average wage of $92,000, 60 percent higher than the average wage in Orange County.
“Astronics Test Systems has enjoyed success in the Orlando market since establishing a presence here in 1994 and has continued to grow by drawing from the specialized talent pool of University of Central Florida (UCF) graduates and other surrounding technological universities. Orlando’s welcoming and collaborative government and business community made it an easy decision to relocate Astronics’ headquarters from Irvine to Orlando,” said Jim Mulato, President of ATS.
The new ATS headquarters will feature modern engineering laboratories and a state-of-the-art production flow. The Orlando location is closer to the majority of ATS customers and is centrally located among the six ATS sites that include facilities in England and India. Increased capacity and the ability to attract talent from the technology-rich I-4 “technology corridor” in the Central Florida region will serve to accelerate future growth at ATS. The company will be leasing a new 70,000 square-foot, built-to-suit facility in Central Florida Research Park while reducing its footprint in Irvine and maintaining existing locations in Kilgore, TX, Westford, MA, Ferndown, UK, and Bangalore, India. The total investment in the new building will reach $13 million over the next 10 years.
Orlando’s welcoming and collaborative government and business community made it an easy decision to relocate Astronics’ headquarters from Irvine to Orlando.
Jim Mulato, president of Astronics Test Systems (ATS)
ATS provides test solutions to high-tech industries that rely upon electronic systems to work exactly as designed every time. ATS products ensure optimal performance of mission-critical electronic systems where the cost of failure would likely be catastrophic. The engineering-centric company has provided custom solutions to aerospace and defense, mass transit, and space industries for over 60 years. ATS also specializes in the development and production of tactical radio test solutions for the military and land mobile communication test products used by major municipalities in North America. The proximity of its new headquarters to the University of Central Florida (UCF) will provide ATS with ideal synergy to elevate its solutions as well as a steady pipeline of skilled talent.
“Astronics Test Systems is well aware that Orange County has had a strong background in aerospace defense dating back to the 1960’s Space Race,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “It should come as no surprise that with such a deep pool of talent and expertise, ATS has chosen to expand here.”
The Orlando Economic Partnership assembled information comparing Orlando to the company’s existing California location with factors including workforce, cost of doing business and available real estate. The Partnership worked with Orange County to assist the company with expedited permitting and connected the company with local organizations, including CareerSource Central Florida and Duke Energy.
“It’s great to see that companies like Astronics Test Systems recognize Orlando’s roots in aerospace and innovation, the benefits of our robust cluster of aerospace and defense suppliers, rich pool of technical talent and diverse and collaborative community,” says Orlando Economic Partnership’s President and CEO, Tim Giuliani. “We are excited the company is committed to becoming an active participant in our community and developing the next generation of engineering talent here in our market.”
The company is now hiring, and available positions can be found at https://www.astronics.com/careers.
For more information or to schedule an interview with ATS or the Orlando Economic Partnership, please contact Justin Braun at 407.902.0211 or at Justin.Braun@Orlando.org.
About Astronics
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. We work side-by-side with customers, integrating our array of power, connectivity, lighting, structure, interior, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For 50 years, we’ve delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers, and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.
About the Orlando Economic Partnership
The Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership) is a public-private, economic and community development organization that works to advance broad-based prosperity by strengthening Orlando’s economy, amplifying Orlando’s story, championing regional priorities, empowering community leaders and building a brilliant region. These five foundational objectives serve to improve the region’s competitiveness while responding to the needs of communities, residents and businesses.
