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Real Economic Development Comes to Melbourne Florida: Embraer Begins Expanded Production

MELBOURNE, FL, – Embraer Executive Jets began the production of its Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 in Melbourne, Florida, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its recently expanded facility, where the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 are already in production. Embraer celebrated the expansion, which added 236,000 square feet to its existing 213,000 square-foot campus at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport.

The Melbourne production facility began operations in February 2011 and the first Phenom 100 was delivered in December of the same year. In August 2012, the Phenom 300 was added to the multi-model, paperless final assembly line. Over 170 Phenom jets, valued at over $1 billion, have been produced in Melbourne for U.S. customers, as well as customers in 14 other countries.

The new 236,000 square-foot facility features four new buildings: an assembly hangar, a paint facility, a completion center, a flight preparation facility, and a new delivery center. Embraer will add 600 new jobs to its almost 600 employees in the area, ramping up hiring through 2020. 

At the ribbon cutting, Governor Scott said, “I am proud to join Embraer in cutting the ribbon of their expanded aircraft assembly facility today... Embraer already employs more than 1,000 Floridians and the addition of 600 new jobs is incredible news for Florida.”

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson added, “Florida’s Space Coast is special and the first-class workforce it offers makes it second to none for aerospace companies looking to set up shop.”

Greg Donovan, Executive Director of Orlando Melbourne International Airport said, "Embraer provides exciting visible confirmation that Orlando Melbourne International Airport provides an incredible platform from which to grow an international company. We fulfill our promises. It is fitting that the aircraft assembled here are named Legacy. As they fly through international skies, Embraer Executive Jets that originated from Orlando Melbourne International Airport exemplify the legacy of our partnership of mutual respect: Built on promises made, promises kept, and a team that strives daily to give our community the legacy of flight.". 

“The new Embraer assembly facility brings a new level of modern manufacturing into Melbourne.” said City of Melbourne Mayor, Kathy Meehan. “We look forward to supporting this new business line and providing opportunity for continued growth and expansion for years to come.”

About the Legacy 450 and the Legacy 500

The Legacy 500 and Legacy 450, which entered service in 2014 and 2015, respectively, are the first midsize business jets with digital flight controls, based on full fly-by-wire technology, featuring side-stick controls.

The 450 and 500 use composites, including in pressure bulkheads, empennage, fairings, doors and control surfaces. The Phenom jets were the company’s first aircraft to have primary parts in composite material, such as carbon fiber. Embraer reports that its composite structures are cured in autoclaves to provide the highest quality, weight reduction and greater resistance against corrosion and fatigue. Its Center of Excellence for composites is in Évora, Portugal, which shipped the first composite empennage for the Legacy 500 in 2012.

About Embraer 

Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services. 

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. About every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. 

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

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