Enterprise Florida-led trip provides worldwide exposure for aviation/aerospace businesses

ORLANDO, FL (December 23, 2013) – Today, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) President & CEO Gray Swoope announced that the EFI-led trip to the Dubai Airshow resulted in more than $67 million in expected sales for 11 Florida aviation and aerospace businesses. The show, held November 17-21 in Dubai, is the leading aerospace event in the Middle East and the fastest growing airshow in the world. Florida was the only U.S. state represented at the show.

“Florida has a very strong base of established aviation and aerospace companies, and the state is serious about continuing to strengthen its position as a leader in the industry,” said Swoope. “We have more than 2,000 companies in the sector, most of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Part of our mission is to promote our target sectors all over the world, and shows like this allow Florida companies in those sectors to grow through export sales. We want to help them continue their success.”

The Florida Pavilion at the airshow exhibited 11 aerospace and aviation companies with various specialties, including: maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); fixed-wing and rotary pilot training; avionics; ground radar equipment; pneumatic tools; and aircraft engines and components. The Middle East is a top emerging aviation/aerospace market with substantial opportunities for Florida manufacturers, training service providers, MROs and engineering firms.

President and CEO of Airgroup Dynamics (ADI) of Orlando, Albert Arce said, “Airgroup Dynamic has pursued different international sectors in order to bring valued business to our company, but we had never tried to extend our market reach to the Middle East. Thanks to Enterprise Florida, it made this a reality with the Dubai Airshow. Airgroup Dynamics had 35 targeted group meetings of which 15 were exponentially interested in our target market of component repair. ADI established business relationships with the opportunity to start business right away during the Dubai Airshow, and Enterprise Florida gave us the opportunity to demonstrate globally what we have to offer.”

Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Avionica of Miami, Bill Thompson said, “The Dubai Airshow is a great event to meet existing customers and we were given the chance to develop opportunities. This year was the first time we had a booth featured in the Florida Pavilion and we ended up leaving with over 10 sales leads from countries around the world. Enterprise Florida’s assistance throughout the show was helpful and because of the booth, we were able to showcase our products and services to numerous of prospective clients.”

Florida Pavilion companies:

• Aero Kool Corporation – Hialeah
• Aerospace Precision, Inc. – Hollywood
• Airgroup Dynamics – Orlando
• Avionica, Inc. – Miami
• Bristow Academy – Titusville
• Caliber Sales Engineering Inc. – Pembroke Pines
• JBT AeroTec – Orlando
• Global Turbine Parts Corp – Jupiter
• Pan American Tool Corporation – Fort Lauderdale
• Sunrise Aviation – Ormond Beach
• Turbopower, LLC – Miami Lakes

EFI organizes trips to more than 30 international export development events annually with nearly 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) participating. EFI refers more than 500 qualified export sales leads annually to Florida SMEs free of charge and developed the first state export directory online. 

International trade and foreign-direct investment accounted for about one-sixth of the state’s economic output last year and supports an estimated one million jobs. Florida continues to have the highest trade surplus among all states, with total trade exports plus imports hitting a record of $162.2 billion. Florida has a number of strengths to leverage, including one of the fastest growing international economies, strong air and seaport infrastructure, and a large and well-qualified multicultural workforce.

Learn more about Enterprise Florida’s export assistance programs.

***

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. EFI’s mission is to facilitate job growth for Florida’s businesses and citizens leading to a vibrant statewide economy. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

#####