East/West Industries commemorated its move to a spacious new facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 22, attended by employees, vendors, customers and local VIPs.
Founded on Long Island in 1968, East/West Industries designs and manufactures aircraft seats and other products, critical to crew safety and survival. The move, which was necessary to accommodate growing demand for East/West’s products, increased office and manufacturing areas by 75 percent – from 30,000 square feet to approximately 50,000 square feet.
The company is also actively hiring and plans to expand its 75-person workforce by 40 percent over the next three years. In addition to a dedicated production line for each individual seat program, the new facility features a 3-D printing lab, high-speed machining and other innovations that will reduce product development and production time.
“We’re here today to recognize and thank everyone who made this new facility possible, and everyone who shares our commitment to saving aircrew lives,” said company president Teresa Ferarro. “For nearly 50 years, everything we’ve done has been built on a foundation of hard work, integrity, and a very personal commitment to doing the right thing for the aerospace customers we serve.”
Ferraro specifically expressed appreciation to Angie Carpenter, Islip town supervisor, and Bill Mannix, executive director, Town of Islip Industrial Development Agency. “We are committed to staying and growing right here on Long Island,” said Ferarro. “Your support has been invaluable in helping us continue our commitment to this community.”
“This administration has a responsibility to foster a business-friendly environment that retains and creates local jobs,” added Carpenter. “I am proud that our IDA was able to work with East/West Industries to keep their business in Islip, and help keep Islip prospering for all our businesses and our residents.”
Mannix added, “Like most of our aerospace companies, East/West Industries was courted by many other states, but chose to remain on Long Island, where the company was founded in 1968. We are grateful that they stayed, and are glad that our IDA tax incentives played a role in that decision.”
Original equipment manufacturers like Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky — to name a few — install East/West seats and other products on the aircraft they manufacture, including some of the newest commercial and military platforms under development.