Will Create Jobs For 215 Highly-Skilled Workers

Pratt & Whitney has announced an investment of up to $100 million in its existing West Palm Beach facility that will create up to 215 new jobs by 2022 supporting the company's defense programs. The announcement was made with Florida Governor Rick Scott, officials from Palm Beach County, and approximately 100 of the nearly 1,300 current employees of the Pratt & Whitney facility in attendance.

"Pratt & Whitney is proud to announce the further expansion of its West Palm Beach campus and the creation of 215 highly-skilled jobs," said Dave Carter, senior vice president of Engineering at Pratt & Whitney. "This investment will support the vital needs of our defense customers, and there's no better home for it than West Palm, where we test the F-135 engine for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Everyone at Pratt & Whitney is committed to connecting people through air travel, growing economies through that connection and supporting defense missions."

The $100 million investment will support the expansion of the campus and the new equipment needed for manufacturing, engineering, and the development of new technologies.

Pratt & Whitney opened its original 7,000-acre facility in West Palm Beach in 1958, focusing on engineering and research. In 2014, the company opened its 97,000-square foot West Palm Beach Engine Center and state-of-the-art engine production facility.

Pratt & Whitney has made more than $188 million in capital investments in its West Palm Beach facility since 2000 to support the  production of the world's only geared turbofan commercial engine, the Pratt & Whitney GTF, as well as the engine for the world's only fifth generation fighter jet.

"Pratt & Whitney's innovative and unique engines are the future of aviation, and West Palm Beach is at the heart of that," Mr. Carter said. "We appreciate the support from Palm Beach County and the state of Florida in our pursuit of innovation."

Pratt & Whitney's programs rely on more than 100 suppliers throughout the Southeast United States, with 23 key suppliers based in Florida.

(Source: Pratt & Whitney news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.pw.utc.com