Stillwater Hits International Stage with New Company
Filed by Michael Cross in Business, Feature, Local News, News.
July 9, 2012
Stillwater is getting a boost to its economy with the addition of a new international aerospace supplier moving into the plant which until December held the Mercury Marine company.
A $100 million investment and as many as 600 jobs could come to Stillwater over the next few years.
Officials with the city of Stillwater and the state of Oklahoma gathered at the Chamber of Commerce to announce the arrival of Belgium-based ASCO, Incorporated.
The press conference was preceded by a similar one with ASCO officials and Governor Fallin at the Farnborough International Air Show in England.
ASCO’s CEO says Oklahoma was the best fit for his company because of its central location and existing aerospace industry.
Stillwater Mayor John Bartley says the company will also have access to students produced at Oklahoma State University.
“OSU is the only university that offers a degree in unmanned aerial systems. That will create wonderful synergy with the growth that we have with ASCO and let’s be honest who knows where it takes us from here.”
ASCO officials say they will also be dependent on training at Stillwater’s Meridian Technology Center for things such machinists, assemblers, quality control inspectors, and manufacturing engineers with 250 to 1,800 hours in training.
Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb says while federal and state incentives played a role in getting ASCO to Oklahoma, a lot of credit needs to go to Oklahoma’s career tech system.
“We cannot overlook career tech in Oklahoma and how important it is for attracting companies, training our workforce and making sure our citizens are very well prepared and when business changes that may be here already, we can quickly adapt and change that workforce and change the curriculum to make sure our companies can thrive and prosper in the future.”
The first hiring phase for as many as 250 people will start in September with an extra 250 to 350 jobs added in 2015 and 2016.
The CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce says many of the jobs will be hired locally.
ASCO designs and makes aircraft components for Airbus, Boeing and other commercial jet companies.
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Names like Stillwater don't need to get cheap removals perth when they move in to their new company. What they need would be stronger forces or employees, and fortunately they will be hiring locally.