Martin Interconnect Services will expand its presence in Sedgwick County by purchasing a building at 1801 South Mead and adding 37 new jobs over the next 5 years to a current workforce of 48 employees. The company produces wire harnesses for original equipment manufacturers across several sectors, including heavy duty specialty vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances, refuse collection trucks, mobile drill rig chassis, airport refueling trucks, automobiles, buses, boats, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. Capital investment is projected at more than $615,000.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to grow in Wichita,” said Adam Martin, Vice President of Engineering at Martin Interconnect Services. “This is a large investment for our company and we’re pleased to be growing and continuing to serve our clients with quality, efficient work.”

Todd Martin, Vice President of Marketing and Production added, “We thank Sedgwick County and the local economic development team who helped make this project possible. It’s great to have the support of our local community as we expand.”

A privately-owned, family business based in Wichita, Martin Interconnect Services is owned and managed by Tom and Sharon Martin and sons Todd and Adam. Its current location is 131 Laura Street.

“Small, family-owned, private businesses are the foundation of our community” said Sedgwick County Commission Chairman, Karl Peterjohn. “We are pleased to be able to help them grow here while also providing jobs and a significant return on investment to the community through this project.”

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition (GWEDC) worked with Sedgwick County on providing a forgivable loan. The Board of County Commissioners for Sedgwick County will vote on the package in coming weeks to retain and grow the company here.

“Helping a small, local family-owned company grow in our region is a great project; made even more special because their product is one that is many companies have taken off-shore. We see this as a true win-win for the long-term,” said GWEDC President Vicki Pratt Gerbino.

GWEDC is the regional public/private partnership managed by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and charged with creating and executing the community’s business recruitment, retention and expansion plans and marketing the region.

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(Wichita, KS)  -- Cox Machine, a manufacturing company specializing in precision parts and assemblies for the aerospace industry, plans to expand its facility at 5338 West 21st in Wichita.

The company is planning a $4.4 million capital investment, including a 30,000 square-foot expansion at its main facility and manufacturing machinery and equipment. Smith Construction Co., Inc. will be the contractor on the expansion.

“Wichita is our home and we are extremely pleased to continue to build here on the principals that have brought us to this point – our commitment to customers of quality, dependability and service,” said Steve Cox, CEO with Cox Machine.

Brenna Davis, Chief Operations Officer, said the company plans to retain its current 76 full-time jobs and create 50 new jobs over the next three years to five years with a projected average total annual payroll of $4.6 million and an average wage of $37,000.

“Cox Machine is a tremendous example of a successful home-grown company that continues to build and expand, and it’s important that Sedgwick County is where they expand,” said Kelly Parks, Sedgwick County Chairman.

“Cox Machine’s facilities are designed for lean manufacturing and product flow allowing us to be globally competitive and supply short lead times to our customers”, said Jason Cox, Chief Technology Officer for the company. The new expansion will allow Cox to meet future needs of clients by expanding its machining capabilities to serve its client base, which includes Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing, Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, Eaton, Goodrich, Vought Aircraft Industries, including divisions in Florida and California.

“This announcement demonstrates that companies are looking toward the future and seeing opportunity,” said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer. “We must do everything we can to continue to help strengthen our aviation supplier base so they can compete globally.”

Robert Fettke, Regional Project Manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce said, “Cox Machine is not only a critical supplier to the aerospace and aircraft industry, but they are very important asset for our region as well. Having started in Wichita in 1954, and now operating multiple facilities in Sedgwick and Harper counties, the success of Cox Machine is very important to the State of Kansas. The State is excited to learn of Cox’s announcement to move forward with expansion plans in Kansas. We stand ready to assist, and look forward to Cox’s success and future growth in Kansas.”

GWEDC, working closely with the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and the Kansas Department of Commerce, negotiated a package of incentives to secure capital investment and jobs for Wichita and Kansas. Local incentives will be voted on in coming weeks. State incentives may include training funds, High Performance Incentive Program and Enterprise Zone credits.

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is the regional public-private partnership managed by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and charged with creating and executing the region’s business recruitment, retention and expansion plans and marketing the region.

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