Blogs

FloridaMakes Is Hiring Across the State

By Amanda Starling posted yesterday
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FloridaMakes is continuing to grow its team and is currently hiring for several positions across Florida. These opportunities include Regional Director and Regional Business Advisor roles that will help support manufacturers, strengthen regional partnerships, and advance Florida’s manufacturing economy. Current openings include: Central Florida Regional Business Advisor Gulf Coast Regional Director Northeast Florida Regional Director Southeast Florida Regional Business Advisors (2 positions) These roles work directly with manufacturers to help drive growth, strengthen workforce capabilities, and connect industry with education, economic ...
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Manufacturer Spotlight: Ecological Laboratories Strengthens Workforce Through FloridaMakes Apprenticeships

By Mariely Velez posted 12 days ago
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Ecological Laboratories, Inc. (ELI) partnered with FloridaMakes to tackle persistent workforce challenges through its Registered Apprenticeship Program. This initiative has transformed talent retention, operational efficiency, and company culture for the Cape Coral-based biotechnology manufacturer. Pre-Program Challenges ELI faced difficulties finding and retaining talent based on compensation alone, as competitors in manufacturing and construction often offered higher pay. Even with wage increases, high-performing staff left for growth opportunities elsewhere, compounded by a transitory workforce leading to over 20% turnover and 25%+ impact on operations ...
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How Eagle Quality Components Turned a Precision Opportunity into Major Growth

By Mariely Velez posted 12 days ago
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When a manufacturer earns the trust of a major OEM, the opportunity can be transformational—but it often requires the ability to move quickly, invest strategically, and prove capability under pressure. That was the situation facing Eagle Quality Components LLC, a Florida-based precision machining company specializing in extremely tight tolerance components. After identifying a potential opportunity with a large OEM, Eagle Quality was asked to produce test article components to demonstrate that the company could manufacture highly precise parts that met strict tolerances and quality specifications. For Eagle Quality, the opportunity was clear—but delivering ...
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Florida Photonics Cluster Names Carol Ann Logue Executive Director

By Amanda Starling posted 15 days ago
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Carol Ann Logue, Executive Director Florida Photonics Cluster The Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) has named Carol Ann Logue as Executive Director. A longtime leader within the organization, Logue has served on the FPC Board of Directors for the past ten years and brings extensive experience in building innovation ecosystems, supporting technology companies, and strengthening industry partnerships. Logue joins the Cluster following a distinguished career at the University of Central Florida , where she served as Director of the university’s eight-site Business Incubation Program and Innovation Districts. In that role, she helped support early-stage ...
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Strategic Certification Support Strengthens Florida Manufacturer’s Competitive Position

By Mariely Velez posted 02-17-2026
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Photo Credit: Caliber Sales Engineering In regulated industries, certifications are more than credentials. They are essential to maintaining market access, protecting revenue streams, and positioning a company for continued growth. When federal certification requirements evolved, a Florida-based defense manufacturer took proactive steps to ensure continued alignment and long-term competitiveness. Company Overview Caliber Sales Engineering is a Florida-based defense supplier serving aviation, air defense, communications, marine, and energy sectors. The company delivers sustainment solutions, engineering services, parts manufacturing, and integrated ...
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Building Skills, Confidence, and Careers: An Apprenticeship Journey in Action

By Mariely Velez posted 02-11-2026
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When Jen Wolfe, Human Resources and Training Coordinator at WRICO Florida, began evaluating long-term workforce strategies, she was not looking for a short-term fix. She was looking for structure. Like many manufacturers, WRICO needed a way to strengthen technical capability, support employee growth, and build a reliable internal talent pipeline. Jen reached out to FloridaMakes to explore apprenticeship programming and learn what implementation could look like for her organization. Through that conversation, WRICO partnered with FloridaMakes and leveraged the Pathways to Career Opportunity Grant, which allowed the company to implement apprenticeship services ...
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LightPath Technologies Secures $9.6 Million Order for Cooled Infrared Cameras

By Amanda Starling posted 02-10-2026
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FPC Member LightPath Technologies, a leading provider of advanced optics and imaging systems, has received a $9.6 million purchase order from an existing defense customer for cooled infrared cameras. Production will take place at the company’s Florida and New Hampshire facilities throughout 2026. This order highlights the growing demand for LightPath’s high-performance, all-weather security and surveillance solutions, as well as the strength of its domestic manufacturing capabilities. Read the full press release for more details.
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Rayvel Holographics Opens Global Headquarters and Hologram Museum on Florida’s Space Coast

By Amanda Starling posted 02-06-2026
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Rayvel Holographics, a leader in hologram imaging and photonic innovation, has announced the opening of its new global headquarters and HoloCenter South Hologram Museum in downtown Melbourne, Florida. The public grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration will take place on February 24, 2026 , featuring hologram art exhibits, guided tours, live performances, and international guests. The new facility will serve as a global hub for hologram research, product development, manufacturing, and public education—bringing together art, science, and advanced photonics under one roof. Building on Rayvel’s 50-year legacy in holographic arts and technology, the ...
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LightPath Technologies Acquires Amorphous Materials

By Amanda Starling posted 01-24-2026
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LightPath Technologies has acquired the assets of Amorphous Materials, Inc. (AMI) , expanding its capabilities in chalcogenide IR glass manufacturing and large-diameter optics. The acquisition enhances LightPath’s ability to produce BlackDiamond™ glass in significantly larger formats and adds additional NDAA-compliant manufacturing capacity in Texas to complement its Florida operations. The combined capabilities are expected to support advanced defense, aerospace, and long-range sensing applications, while broadening LightPath’s U.S.-produced IR materials and optics portfolio. 🔗 Read the full announcement for more details. ...
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How Strategic Business Assessment and Workforce Innovation Helped a Florida Manufacturer Scale with Confidence

By Mariely Velez posted 01-14-2026
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Successful manufacturing growth doesn’t happen by chance. It’s driven by clear strategy, strong operations, and the right partners. Since launching operations in Pensacola, Florida , BlueWind has quickly established itself as a trusted supplier in the renewable energy supply chain, producing composite nacelle covers for wind turbines used by a global energy leader. These critical components protect key systems such as generators, gearboxes, and controllers—making quality, precision, and durability essential. BlueWind’s manufacturing process relies on advanced composite infusion techniques, a highly skilled workforce, and a commitment to continuous improvement. ...
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Florida Photonics Cluster Highlights Jenoptik at SPIE Photonics West 2026

By Amanda Starling posted 01-14-2026
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The Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) is excited to highlight Jenoptik , one of Florida’s leading photonics companies, as they showcase advanced optical, sensor, and metrology solutions at SPIE Photonics West 2026 , the world’s largest photonics trade fair, taking place January 20–22, 2026 , in San Francisco. Jenoptik—together with its subsidiaries SwissOptic and TRIOPTICS —will present a wide range of innovations supporting applications across semiconductor equipment, laser technologies, life sciences and medical technology, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, and advanced information and communication technologies, including AR/VR . Under the ...
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Addressing the Tool and Die Talent Pipeline

By Mariely Velez posted 12-22-2025
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Many Florida manufacturers rely on highly experienced tool and die professionals whose skills and institutional knowledge are critical to day-to-day operations. At the same time, manufacturers are increasingly focused on planning for long-term workforce continuity and ensuring that specialized expertise is successfully passed on to the next generation of skilled workers. The new Tool and Die apprenticeship occupation offered through FloridaMakes provides manufacturers with a structured solution to support this transition. By combining on-the-job learning with related technical instruction, apprenticeships allow employers to intentionally develop new talent ...
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Spectrum News Highlights Manufacturing Growth and Workforce Pathways in Central Florida

By Mariely Velez posted 12-15-2025
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Spectrum News 13 recently featured a story examining the growth of manufacturing in Central Florida and the workforce pathways supporting the region’s expanding industry base. The story includes insights from FloridaMakes CEO Kevin Carr , who discusses how continued investment in manufacturing is creating stronger economic outcomes and higher-wage career opportunities across the state. The segment also spotlights House of Plastics , an Orlando family-owned manufacturer that has operated since 1969. President Todd Davis shared that while demand for manufacturing services continues to grow, the primary challenge facing employers is finding skilled ...
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FloridaMakes CEO and Board Members Named Among Florida’s Most Influential Leaders

By Amanda Starling posted 11-05-2025
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ORLANDO, FL — FloridaMakes is proud to announce that Kevin Carr , Chief Executive Officer, has once again been named among Florida’s most influential business leaders by Florida Trend magazine. The recently published Florida 500 list recognizes the 500 most influential executives across major industries in the state. According to Florida Trend , “this immense research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal, engaging look at the state’s most influential business leaders.” “It’s an honor to be recognized among such a distinguished group,” said Carr. “I’m incredibly proud of the work FloridaMakes and our association partners ...
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FloridaMakes Elects Chris Albert to Board of Directors

By Amanda Starling posted 10-30-2025
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ORLANDO, FL — FloridaMakes, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) for the state of Florida, is proud to announce that Chris Albert was elected to its Board of Directors on October 22, 2025, where he will represent the Southeast region of the state. Albert began his leadership journey as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps, leading a small team on high-stakes security operations in Iraq. After his military service, he pursued academic studies in political science and international relations, teaching and conducting research at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Connecticut. In 2011, he co-founded ...
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Exciting News: KrellTech Wins Innovator of the Year 2025

By Amanda Starling posted 10-20-2025
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Florida Photonics member Krell Technologies, a leading manufacturer of precision polishing and inspection systems for photonic components, has been recognized as Innovator of the Year at the 2025 New Jersey Manufacturing Awards, hosted by the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP). The annual event brought together thousands of manufacturers, business leaders, and policymakers from across the state to celebrate excellence and innovation in New Jersey’s manufacturing community. The Innovator of the Year award honors KrellTech’s commitment to advancing photonics manufacturing through engineering excellence, creative problem-solving, and educational ...
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ILLUMUS Welcomes Barn Light Electric, Expanding Innovation and American Manufacturing Power

By Rachel Powley posted 10-09-2025
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Sanford, FL – ILLUMUS , a leader in innovative lighting solutions and parent company of GREEN CREATIVE and ILP , is proud to announce the acquisition of Barn Light Electric , a respected name in handcrafted architectural lighting. This strategic move strengthens ILLUMUS’s position in the market, rounding out its portfolio with a refined architectural focus to complement its commercial, industrial, outdoor and specification-grade product offerings. “With the addition of Barn Light, we’re bringing together exceptional talent, a deep architectural craftsman lighting heritage, and a shared commitment to innovation,” said Neil Yeargin, CEO of ILLUMUS. “Our ...
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FloridaMakes Announces 2025 Florida Manufacturer Apprentices of the Year

By Mariely Velez posted 10-08-2025
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FloridaMakes Announces 2025 Florida Manufacturer Apprentices of the Year Top apprentices to be honored at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on October 22. ORLANDO, FL - FloridaMakes is proud to announce the 2025 Florida Manufactur er Apprentices of the Year , recognizing 11 outstanding individuals for their commitment to excellence in manufacturing and workforce development. The honorees will be recognized during a special ceremony at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on Wednesday, October 22 at 5:30 PM at the DoubleTree Downtown Orlando in Orlando, FL. ...
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TEN MANUFACTURERS NAMED 2025 FLORIDA MANUFACTURER EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

By Mariely Velez posted 10-08-2025
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2025 TEN MANUFACTURERS NAMED 2025 FLORIDA MANUFACTURER EMPLOYER OF CHOICE Award recognizes manufacturers who rank among the top places to work based on statewide workforce excellence benchmarks ORLANDO, FL — FloridaMakes today announced the winners of the 2025 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice (EOC) Awards, recognizing manufacturers across the state that are building outstanding workplaces where employees can grow, thrive, and stay. Honorees will be formally recognized at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on October 22, 2025, in Orlando. 2025 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice Award Honorees ...
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MACF Welcomes New Executive Director, Candy Cole

By Rachel Powley posted 10-01-2025
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manufacturers Association of Central Florida Appoints Candy Cole as Executive Director. Orlando, FL – October 1, 2025 – The Manufacturers Associati o n o f Central Florida (MACF) is proud to announce the appointment of Candy Cole as its new Executive Director. In this role, she will also serve as the Central Florida Regional Hub Director for FloridaMakes , the state’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnersh ip. Cole brings extensive leadership experience in business and community development, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Lake Nona Regional Chamber ...
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