Summary Pilatus announced plans for a new facility in Florida to expand their North American presence, creating over 300 skilled positions. The factory will include maintenance, spare parts distribution, office space, and be operational by 2026, employing about fifty people initially. Pilatus hopes the new facility in Florida will continue facilitating growth in North America, where they have their largest market for business aviation aircraft.
On Tuesday, August 27, Pilatus announced plans for a brand-new facility located in Florida. The new facility will expand the Swiss company's North American presence, and it will be located at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Bradenton, Florida, which is on the West Coast of Florida , just South of Tampa . The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Rick Piccolo, spoke about the new facility.
He stated, "We are thrilled to partner with Pilatus. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic development not only of the airport, but also the region. This endeavor involves a substantial investment of tens of millions of dollars in facility development, which will result in the creation of over 300 skilled positions, offering lucrative opportunities and making a significant economic impact.
" New facility Pilatus executives signed an official agreement with the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Authority Officials on Tuesday, August 27. The new deal is to develop a factory-owned facility, which Pilatus will use for sales, design engineering, and as a service center for Pilatus aircraft. Specifically, the facility will develop 17 acres on the north side of the airport which had previously been unused.
The large factory will total about 54,000 square feet for maintenance activity and spare parts distribution. This area will also be used for new aircraft deliveries. An additional 17,000 square feet will be utilized for office and administrative space.
Pilatus expects the facility to be operational by 2026. The CEO of Sales and Service Center for the US East Coast at Pilatus, Justin Lazzeri, spoke about the new facility. Lazzeri stated, "Our new facility in Bradenton will be a showcase for ‘Pilatus Class’ sales and service, and will be a flagship store that will serve as a model for our global network of Authorized Pilatus Sales and Service Centers.
" Pilatus plans to employ about fifty people at the new facility. These employees will assist with managing aircraft sales, the service of Pilatus aircraft, and the design and delivery of Pilatus aircraft in the region. However, Pilatus hopes to eventually grow the facility to become a final assembly factory that will help in the delivery of aircraft to North and South America.
It also hopes to grow the facility to about 300 employees. Expansion into North America Pilatus hopes that the new factory in Florida will continue facilitating growth on the East Coast of the United States and throughout North America. Currently, the US is Pilatus' largest market for its business aviation aircraft, which includes its popular PC-12 turboprop aircraft and its PC-24 light business jet .
Specifically, Florida and the East Coast of the US have the highest concentration of Pilatus aircraft operations, sales, and service activity. In 2022, Florida saw a staggering 6,200 Pilatus flight operations, so the new Pilatus facility will be perfectly positioned to continue servicing its aircraft in North America. The new facility is part of Pilatus' larger plans to expand its footprint in North and South America.
It will look to continue growing its active fleet of over 2,250 Pilatus aircraft that are already located in the Americas..
