Hercules Fluid Power Group to Open Manufacturing and Distribution Center in Hillsborough County
June 16, 2015
Tampa, Fla. – June 16, 2015 – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Hercules Fluid Power Group (HFPG), a leading international distributor of hydraulic and pneumatic seals, seal kits and cylinders for all heavy equipment brands, will open a new manufacturing and distribution center in Hillsborough County. The company, headquartered in Clearwater, will hire up to 50 new employees at the Tampa location for distribution, light manufacturing, and engineering positions.
Governor Scott said, “Florida continues to be a top destination for companies looking to expand or locate their manufacturing business. More than 865,000 new jobs have been created in Florida since December 2010 and Hercules Fluid Power Group’s decision to open a manufacturing and distribution center in Florida is more proof of our state’s positive business climate and leading infrastructure. We are excited to announce these 50 new jobs today and look forward to welcoming more growth in Florida.”
Founded in 1962, HFPG currently has 385 employees throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to the Florida facilities, the company also has distribution centers in six other states. The new manufacturing and distribution center, located at 8711 Florida Mining Road in Tampa, will occupy 35,000 square feet of leased space. HFPG is investing approximately $1 million in building improvements, new equipment, and office furniture.
“HFPG is a dynamic, growing group of companies. Our most recent need to support our continued business expansion led us to consider a number of locations for our new facility. HFPG has proudly selected Tampa,” said Russ Brown, President of HFPG. “This move allows us to take advantage of Tampa’s strong talent pool and cost – effective environment to continue to build the company into the industry leading provider of Fluid Power seals for Mobile Heavy Equipment and industrial applications. HFPG would like to thank the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Enterprise Florida and The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for their assistance and commitment to supporting local business development.”
Florida’s advanced manufacturing industries are diverse and include sectors producing intermediate and finished products ranging from plastics to machinery and motor vehicles. In total, Florida is home to more than 18,200 manufacturers employing some 317,000 workers.
Bill Johnson, Enterprise Florida President and CEO said, “Florida is a global economic hub so it’s no surprise when companies like HFPG choose Florida as home for their next distribution center. Florida wisely continues to invest in infrastructure making our state even more irresistible to companies who seek to increase their international footprint. I congratulate HFPG on their announcement and look forward to watching them continue to grow here in Florida.”
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.
Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “With the expansion of Hercules Fluid Power Group, Tampa’s economy continues its strong growth. Manufacturing is a critically important industry, and the Scott administration is committed to policies that foster its growth.”
“We’re very pleased to welcome HFPG to Hillsborough County,” said the Hon. Sandra Murman, Chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. “We’ve worked hard to develop our distribution, manufacturing and logistics sectors by offering competitive workforce support and business assistance packages that put companies locating here on a fast track for growth. This strategy is clearly working. We look forward to supporting HFPG’s success and thank them for bringing more jobs and investment to our community.”
HFPG joins a growing list of companies that have recently made the decision to expand their workforce in Hillsborough County, including Ashley Furniture Industries’ Ashcomm LLC, Inspirata, Xcelience, ReliaQuest, Cognizant and BluePearl Veterinary Partners.
“HFPG already has distribution centers in at least two other states that competed for this project,” said Dr. Ronald Vaughn, Chair of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and President of the University of Tampa. “But those states simply couldn’t beat what Hillsborough County offered in terms of quality and availability of the talent and an ideal location for expanding service to their customers in the southeastern U.S., Europe, and other international destinations. Hillsborough County’s reputation as a destination for distribution, logistics, and manufacturing operations is on the rise.”
Individuals interested in open job opportunities may refer to the company’s website at www.herculesus.com.
In May, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved a local incentive package of $30,000, supporting a commitment of $120,000 from the State of Florida through the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) program. The total QTI allocation of $150,000 will provide the company with support for up to 50 new, high-wage positions. The incentives, to be distributed over a period of four years, are performance-based, meaning funds are only paid after the jobs are created at the wages promised. The incentivized jobs will pay a minimum average wage of $48,813.
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The Hercules Fluid Power Group (HFPG) offers superior quality sealing solutions, fluid power products, and value-added services to a variety of Aftermarket and Industrial Original Equipment Manufacturer markets. To learn more, visit www.herculesus.com.
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation is the lead economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to develop and sustain a thriving local economy through the attraction, retention and expansion of high wage jobs and capital investment within targeted industry sectors.
The EDC exists because of the generous support of nearly 100 corporations, the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. To learn more, visit tampabayedc.com.
Hillsborough County, Florida is the commercial and industrial heart of Tampa Bay. The fourth largest county in the state of Florida, Hillsborough is home to nearly 1.3 million residents, with thousands more arriving each year. Its strength is drawn from being one of the most advanced economies and having one of the most educated workforces in the state. Hillsborough County and its three municipalities –Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace — offer a competitive business environment and an abundance of regional assets including Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and MacDill Air Force Base. County government is focused on creating economic prosperity for residents and businesses throughout the area. To learn more, visit hillsboroughcounty.org.
