Embraer opens its global Customer Center for executive jets and prepares to deliver first U.S. built aircraft
State-of-art facility in Melbourne, Florida will welcome customers from all over the world . Melbourne, FL, December 5th, 2011 – Embraer celebrated yesterday the opening of its U.S.-based, global Customer Center, at the Melbourne International Airport in Melbourne, Florida and presents for delivery the first Phenom 100 assembled in the United States to Robert Taylor, CEO of Executive AirShare. The new 58,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Customer Center becomes the new location for global customers for the entire range of Embraer corporate aircraft to select colors, fabrics, paint schemes and options for their aircraft. The facility also serves as the delivery suites for all U.S. assembled Phenom 100s.
“It is a historic day for Embraer. After 32 years of continuous presence in the United States, we are extremely proud to have reached full-fledged operations that not only assembles aircraft in a state-of-the-art paperless factory, but also hosts our executive jet customers in the equally impressive Customer Center,” says Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO. “Furthermore, with the on-schedule completion of our Customer Center and imminent delivery of the first Phenom 100, Embraer reiterates its commitment to be closer to its customers and to maintain a strong partnership with the state of Florida and the Brevard County community”.
Florida Governor Rick Scott joined the Economic Development Commission and a host of officials at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I applaud Embraer’s progress at Melbourne International Airport and congratulate the company on the completion of the state-of-the-art Customer Center,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “This center’s opening, in conjunction with Embraer’s first U.S. manufacturing plant, which began operations on the Space Coast in February, further illustrates that Florida is open for business and provides innovative opportunities.”
“The rapid progress that Embraer is making toward becoming fully operational in Melbourne is commendable,” said City of Melbourne Mayor Harry Goode. “I continue to be impressed by the way that Embraer is moving directly forward with this major investment in the future of the company, and in our community. We look forward to welcoming the customers who will visit the new facility from around the world.”
In May 2008, Embraer announced Melbourne as its chosen location for the new 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, worth some $50 million, for its portfolio of executive jets. In February 2011, the Company held the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Phase I - 80,000 square foot production and painting facility.
“Embraer’s opening of the Customer Center at its facility at Melbourne International Airport is the culmination of a project that the county has been very fortunate to be associated with,” said Brevard County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Chuck Nelson. “Congratulations to Embraer; we at the county look forward to many more years of working alongside this great company as we look to further diversify and expand our economy.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kansas City – based fractional aircraft provider, Executive AirShare, was presented with the first U.S.-made Phenom 100 entry level jet. “Executive AirShare is proud of the honor of having the first delivery of an aircraft that Embraer has produced in the United States” says Robert Taylor, CEO of Executive AirShare. “Upon delivery of this aircraft, our fleet will grow to 18 Phenom 100 and Phenom 300, serving the Central U.S. and Great Lakes regions.”
“The presentation of the first Melbourne-produced Phenom represents the pinnacle of success in this project and demonstrates the culmination of the entire project team’s efforts. We look forward to welcoming Embraer’s global clientele and showcasing all the Space Coast has to offer,” said Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “Embraer’s location decision is the highest compliment the company can pay to our community. We wish Embraer much success and continued growth on the Space Coast.”
“The Embraer sales and marketing teams are thrilled to bring the Company’s Executive Jets headquarters to Melbourne” says Robert Knebel, Vice President of Sales for North America Embraer Executive Jets. “From this outstanding facility, we will be providing our customers worldwide with the best tools available to select the interiors, paint schemes and options tailored to their specific needs and tastes.”
As the new global headquarters for Embraer’s Executive Jets division, the two-story Customer Center design is in alignment with the innovative style of the Company. Its functionality is driven by the customer experience from the sales stage, through configuration until final delivery process.
The first floor of the building features a vast atrium, mockup showroom, a formal dining-room and an event area adjacent to the 17,112 square-feet delivery hangar. On the second floor customers will find fully equipped delivery suites that allow them to both conduct business and relax during the delivery of their aircraft. Five design studios are dedicated to the selection of aircraft interior through a vast array of fabrics, woods veneers, metal plating, carpets and leathers, and other options. Large flat screen monitors and rendering software will offer the customer a virtual tour of the proposed design of their aircraft.
Partners in the Embraer project include the State of Florida, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida’s Space Coast, Melbourne International Airport, Enterprise Florida, the City of Melbourne, and BBVA Compass Bank. BRPH, which is located in Melbourne, designed the facility, and Walbridge was the builder.
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