UTC Aerospace Systems expands Puerto Rico presence
UTC Aerospace Systems announced Tuesday, in tandem with the government that it has created more than 200 jobs in recent months in its affiliates in Puerto Rico, where it plans to invest an additional $9M in its Santa Isabel operations to meet increased demand for its products.
“UTC Aerospace Systems has a strong manufacturing presence in Puerto Rico and we’re pleased to be able to expand upon it and support the local economy,” said Héctor Ortiz, director, Puerto Rico Operations for UTC Aerospace Systems. “We extend a special thank you Gov. García-Padilla and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company for their support of our business in Santa Isabel.”
With approximately $15 million invested during the last year, UTC Aerospace Systems is driving growth to its local operations and increasing its manufacturing capabilities. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.
Puerto Rico represents a manufacturing center of excellence for UTC Aerospace Systems, company officials said. At its site in Santa Isabel, the company develops a diverse set of products that are critical for some of the corporation’s largest customers, manufacturing more than 3,900 parts and components for the aerospace industry and exporting more than 163,000 pieces a year.
The main products manufactured in Puerto Rico are printed circuit boards, electric and emergency power generation systems, and pressure, temperature and flow controllers.
The Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company has been instrumental to the growth and commitment of UTC Aerospace Systems, providing support and incentives for job creation and infrastructure improvements, García-Padilla said during a ceremony held at the plant Tuesday.
“These new jobs show that our policies to strengthen and diversify Puerto Rico’s industrial base continues to bear fruit, recognizing emerging sectors, such as aerospace, that match the country’s strengths,” he said.
UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries, and supports a global customer base with worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.
The company has operated in Puerto Rico since 1992, first under the name of Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. In 2012, UTC Aerospace Systems was formed by combining two industry leaders, Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation and Goodrich Corporation.
“The acceleration of Puerto Rico’s aerospace industry, and therefore the transformation of our economy continues with this announcement,” said PRIDCO Executive Director Antonio Medina.
“The company joins others like Lufthansa and Honeywell who have recently committed new investments in Puerto Rico, demonstrating the real advances of our economic and industrial development plan. Similar deals are underway and we are confident that they will provide the necessary economic push that Puerto Rico needs,” Medina said.