Green Energy Company to Bring 120 Jobs to Sarasota

5D Composite Inc., based in Ontario, Canada, plans to relocate part of its manufacturing operation to Sarasota County in 2011 and create 120 jobs over five years, according to Mark Huey, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC).

Sarasota County Government recently approved a performance-based incentive grant of $100,000 to facilitate the company’s relocation.
 
Formed in 2009 in Ontario, 5D Composite (5DComposite.com)  has created patent-pending technology allowing the company to create and form strong, lightweight composite materials into almost any shape for industrial purposes and consumer products, according to Andrew Rekret, the company’s president.
 
5D Composite will manufacture uniquely shaped blades for small wind-turbine units for several small wind-turbine systems manufacturers outside the U.S. The company also will manufacture structure piping used to strengthen foundations. Unlike metal piping, the composite material will not corrode when used underground. 5D, which developed two eco-friendly coating and application systems for use on composite products, also plans to manufacture the machinery that applies the coating.
 
“The jobs that 5D Composite will create in Sarasota County will be higher wage, technology-oriented jobs in manufacturing and engineering, as well as sales and support positions,” Huey said. “This company focuses on innovative technology which has broad applications for a wide range of customers around the world.”
 
“Interestingly, 5D is another example of a company that found Sarasota County because the executive was first a vacationer in the community,” Huey said.
 
“My first visit to Sarasota County was to Siesta Key in 1989,” Rekret said. “We’ve been visiting every year since and are pleased to find that the business climate is welcoming to our company, just as our family always felt welcome while vacationing in the community.”
 
“We welcome 5D Composite to Sarasota County for its technological leadership and the 120 jobs it will bring to the community in the next five years,” said Nora Patterson, Sarasota County Commission chair. “5D Composite’s relocation to the county from Canada reinforces our economic development effort to convert visitors and tourists into employers and new jobs.”

The EDC assisted 5D Composite in site selection. The company has leased 6,000 square feet, with plans to expand, in Northgate Industrial Park in mid-Sarasota County. Additionally, the EDC and Suncoast Workforce are helping the company recruit qualified employees. Positions currently posted include Sales Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Tool and Die Maker, and Chemical Engineer. Job- seekers are encouraged to send their resumes to joborders@suncoastworkforce.org.

“We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the EDC staff,” Rekret added. “We received all the necessary information and support, as well as friendly advice. The EDC office was instrumental in our decision to move our manufacturing to Sarasota County.”