ORLANDO, FL – Today, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope announced that Science First, a manufacturer of astronomy and physics education equipment, has bought some of the assets of The Science Source, a manufacturer of science education equipment. The project will create 19 jobs and a capital investment of $400,000.

“Science First’s decision to expand its presence in the state validates Florida’s position as a leader in manufacturing,” said Swoope. “The company’s investment and jobs created adds to these extensive sectors. The opportunities created by Science First will add value to Florida’s workforce and I look forward to seeing their success continue in our state.”

Science First is also the premiere manufacturer of the STARLAB and digital STARLAB planetariums.  Inventory and assets were moved immediately to Science First’s facility in Yulee.

“The Science Source team in Maine was truly remarkable in terms of skill and work ethic. Several are coming to train us and may consider moving permanently when they see the fine quality of life we enjoy in Nassau County,” said Science First President, Nancy Bell. Science First currently has 26 employees and is in its third generation of family ownership, having been founded by Nancy’s father, Frank Lee, in 1960.

“This is a big acquisition for us,” states Aaron Bell, Vice President of the company. “The Science Source has been in the same industry as us for about the same length of time (since 1960) and sells to many of the same customers.  We expect to add a number of new jobs here in Florida and hope to grow the company considerably.” Science First expects to continue the manufacture of all or most of Science Source products, although many will be updated. “We’re especially interested in building upon the relationship with Phywe, since it has such a stellar reputation. As a result, we will expand our presence at trade shows, both domestically and abroad.”

Florida’s advanced manufacturing industries are diverse and include sectors producing intermediate and finished products ranging from plastics to tortillas and motor vehicles. In total, Florida is home to more than 18,200 manufacturers employing some 317,000 workers.

The Science Source brands include Daedalon, electronic products for college us; Beck, physics products at the university level; Staco, museum-quality, greatly enlarged plastic plant and animal cell models; and Linx, design technology tools, parts and kits for elementary school up. It is also the exclusive USA representative for Phywe, a German manufacturer of state-of-the-art science education products that sell at the university level.

This project was made possible with the help of Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB) and Nassau County Commissioners.

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