The Jacksonville region has seen a major surge of activity in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry in recent years. From autonomous vehicles to hypersonic aircraft engines, new investments are reshaping the definition of manufacturing. Below are some of the newest developments planned for the region and the unique roles that these major companies play in Northeast Florida:
COSENTINO
A Spanish manufacturer of sustainable architectural surfaces like countertops, facades and natural stone/engineered surfaces is launching its first U.S. manufacturing facility at the Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville. Some of the Advanced Manufacturing elements include the use of processes like COSENTINO’s HybriQ technology, which employs high reuse of water, renewable electricity, zero water waste, recycled raw materials and reduced crystalline silica content.
HOLON
A subsidiary of the BENTELER Group, HOLON is building its first major plant to manufacture autonomous electric shuttles in Jacksonville. These “movers” will be used for shared transit, campuses, planned communities and more. The company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility is expected to bring nearly 1,000 direct and indirect jobs to the region over the four next years and will benefit other sectors in the region such as Real Estate, Life Sciences and Corporate Operations.
Hermeus
Atlanta-based high tech aviation company Hermeus is building the “HEAT” facility (High Enthalpy Air-Breathing Test Facility) at Cecil Airport to test hypersonic aircraft engines and propulsion systems. Hermeus’ new facility is designed to support rigorous engines and propulsion subsystem testing. Cecil Airport will be Hermeus’ largest and most technologically advanced test site to date, serving as the initial base for its commercial high-Mach flight test service and delivering cutting-edge capabilities in the advancements of hypersonic aviation.
Otto Aerospace
Jacksonville has been chosen as the new home for Otto Aerospace’s headquarters and new manufacturing facility. Known for its innovation in fuel-efficient aircraft, Otto Aerospace is focusing new efforts on building its next-generation “Phantom 3500” business jet. Otto Aerospace’s effort emphasizes fuel efficiency, low drag, reduced emissions and the use of modern tooling, automation and high-wage engineering/manufacturing roles.
BAE Systems Southeast
An existing major player in maritime manufacturing and maintenance commissioned the largest ship lift in the United States this year, adding direct and indirect jobs to the shipyard’s workforce. This shipyard is situated on the St. Johns River and handles maintenance, repair, overhaul and conversion work for naval, commercial and private vessels. BAE Systems Southeast is also upgrading their welding, machining, heavy lift capacity, creating more fabrication space, investing in workforce training and enabling work on submarine structural components.
Phoenix Products
A Jacksonville-based manufacturer and subsidiary of Ring Power Corp., Phoenix Products specializes in designing and manufacturing custom standby power generation systems and equipment. The company is currently undergoing a major expansion that will see the company relocate to a new facility in North Jacksonville that will scale up production capacity and modernize manufacturing operations to better serve the region.
Publix Super Markets
This major supermarket chain announced that it will be opening a new central fill pharmaceutical facility in St. Johns County. Publix Super Markets is known for its combination of groceries, pharmacy services, customer service and community engagement. The new state-of-the-art facility will handle nearly one million prescriptions per week once at full capacity. This development will not only benefit the Advanced Manufacturing Industry, but also the Life Sciences, Transportation & Logistics and Technology Services industries.
What Does This Mean Locally?
For Northeast Florida, these expansions in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry signal a fundamental shift in the local economy. This transformation enhances the region’s visibility as a hub for innovation in sectors like autonomous mobility, aerospace and advanced materials. As more companies like these establish roots in the region, they attract supplier networks, logistics partners, tech service firms and specialized talent––all of which contribute to a stronger and more resilient economic economy.
The Jacksonville region is a proven destination for companies at the forefront of Advanced Manufacturing to find success. These recent developments are not only bringing cutting-edge technologies to local soil, but also redefining the types of careers available to Northeast Florida’s workforce.
Earn Up is a one-stop-shop for more information on the Advanced Manufacturing Industry in Northeast Florida and your Career Pathway needs.
