Embraer's presence helps attract supplier: Brazilian engineering company eager to land at Melbourne International Airport (KMLB), Florida

A subsidiary of a Brazilian aviation company has plans to come to Melbourne International Airport, a project expected to create at least 50 jobs during the next three years.

The investment by Archo Solutions Engineering USA Corp. could also lead to at least 36 spinoff jobs, representing a total annual payroll of $3.87 million. Archo is a subsidiary of Solutions Designs & Engineering of São Paolo, Brazil.

Archo provides engineering and other support services to aviation companies. Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer with a plant at the airport, is one of Archo’s biggest clients.

The Melbourne Airport Authority, which meets Wednesday morning, must approve the agreement with Archo.

“Melbourne is a major aviation and aerospace cluster that will grow over the next 10 years, and we will grow with them,” said Ivan Avila, Archo’s chief operations officer. Archo was in Brevard last week to sign the initial agreement with airport officials.

Research park executives began courting Archo in May at the Expo Aero Brasil 2012. Archo worked primarily with John Thomas, Florida Tech’s assistant vice president for economic development and community affairs.

“We are working diligently to build a world-class, international aviation-aerospace community at the research park, and Archo clearly exemplifies the type of tenant we desire,” Thomas said.

Avila also credited officials at the airport, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and others with creating a supportive environment that persuaded Archo to choose Melbourne .

The growing presence of Brazilian jet maker Embraer strongly influenced Archo’s decision, Avila said.

“We’ve been talking to Embraer, and they have a vision for Melbourne,” he said. “We are following that vision.”

The Archo lease adds to the airport’s growing list of aerospace tenants, including Embraer, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Collins, AAR and MidairUSA.

“The international market is taking notice of the airport’s significant growth in aviation and aerospace manufacturing,” said Executive Director Richard Ennis.

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