Staff Report
Published Oct. 23, 2012
About 100 local government officials and business leaders were on hand Monday when Avtec Inc. broke ground on a $6.1 million manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters at a new industrial park in the town of Lexington.
Avtec, presently based in Gilbert, will be moving into a 46,000-square-foot facility on a 9-acre site at Glassmaster Road and South Lake Drive. The new building, expected to be ready in May, will accommodate 150 workers, with the potential to be expanded by another 20,000 square feet.
“With our rapid growth over the past few years, we need more room to accommodate our expansion,” said Avtec President Michael Branning. “Avtec’s new building will allow us to better serve our customers, many of whom travel from out-of-state for training at our facility.”
One of the Midlands’ fastest growing high-tech firms, privately held Avtec provides Internet Protocol-based, touch-screen console systems that carry voice over telephone and radio networks. Customers range from police departments to airlines.
The company exports its systems worldwide, and provides product training to more than 20 customers each month from its existing facility in Gilbert.
The new building will feature expanded training facilities, technology infrastructure and enhanced employee amenities including a fitness center. Its proximity to Interstate 20 will provide visitors with convenient access to hotels, restaurants and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the company said.
Avtec turned to Columbia-based Miller Valentine Group to find a site, design a building and manage its construction. The technology firm will anchor the 36-acre industrial park in Lexington.
Avtec was founded in Gilbert by Branning’s father, Troy Branning, in 1979 as an engineering consulting business for railroad customers.
Previous coverage
Avtec Inc. partners with Md. communications firm
Avtec’s growth drove decision to build new headquarters
Avtec aims to create new computer manufacturing facility
Company moves from railroad systems to VoIP
