Garmin Increases Presence in Oregon

Company grows through expansion in Salem and acquisition in Newport, Ore.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Garmin International Inc., one of the most recognized names in the Global Positioning System (GPS) market, recently announced plans to expand its subsidiary facility, Garmin AT, located in Salem.

In addition to the expansion of existing facilities, Garmin also has recently announced the acquisition of the assets of Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc. located in Newport, Ore.

“Garmin AT has been a strong economic and community partner for the state of Oregon and I am pleased to see its expansion in the Salem area,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski. “They are creating high-wage, skilled jobs for Oregonians.”

Garmin AT plans to complete the expansion of its main facility by 2008.

The expansion project, which will add 54,000 square feet to the existing facility, will more than double the current office and engineering lab space.

These new facilities will be dedicated to the design, development and manufacturing of Garmin’s aviation products.

Garmin AT currently employs approximately 190 people and projects that by December 2010 that figure will double.

“We have already experienced great success with entry-level workers graduating from Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology,” said Garmin AT’s General Manager John Macnab. “The quality of the individuals that we are seeing coming from the local market has been fantastic.” Garmin is currently in the process of hiring highly skilled individuals to staff the expanded facility.

Garmin also has expanded its presence into Newport, Ore., with the recent acquisition of the assets of Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the TR-1 Gold and Gladiator marine autopilots.

All of Nautamatic’s 28 employees have joined Garmin International, Inc., and will be based in the same locations previously occupied by Nautamatic’s facilities in Newport, Ore., and Dania Beach, Fla.

Oregon is continually attracting employers that require highly skilled workers.

Other well known high-tech companies located throughout the state include Intel, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Xerox to name a few.

This culture and environment has enabled Oregon to continue attracting other high-tech companies as well as fostering growth within existing businesses.