TEMPLE, Texas—The Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC) today announced that BAE Systems, Inc., a global defense and security corporation, will locate in Temple, Texas. The company, which employs approximately 70 people at the new location, signed a lease that began Nov. 1 for a 70,000 sq. ft. industrial building that previously housed Temple Steel Company in Temple EDC’s Rail Park. BAE Systems will retrofit Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the U.S. Army under a System Technical Support contract with the Army’s Program Manager for the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT).
“There are great opportunities in Temple, Texas, for us to perform modification work on one of the Army’s most survivable programs, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle,” said Robert Houston, vice president of Support and Technical Services at BAE Systems. “The location of our new distribution site is in close proximity to Fort Hood, which helps us to reduce transportation costs. We appreciate the support of the Temple community, as we continue to support our brave men and women in uniform.”
Transportation was key to attracting BAE Systems to Temple. Existing rail line will transport the 27-ton Bradley Fighting Vehicles to military bases such as nearby Fort Hood. Available industrial space with options for growth offered another attraction. Initially, the local center will employ around 70 personnel and has potential for future expansion to 100 employees. Temple EDC offered an incentive to BAE Systems based on job growth.
“BAE Systems is an excellent partner for Temple’s economic market,” said Charley Ayres, Temple EDC director of business development. “We have the industrial complex, ideal location and transportation they need to work with the military facilities. They are an ideal source of employment for our community.”
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle provides armor protection for infantry against enemy troops and is built by BAE Systems. With U.S. headquarters based in Arlington, Va., the corporation employs approximately 46,200 employees in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Israel, Germany, Mexico and South Africa, and generated 2010 sales of $17.9 billion.
About Temple
Temple, Texas, is a community with a diverse economic base that includes healthcare, distribution and warehousing, and manufacturing as its foundation. Within 200 miles of a population of 19 million, Temple is in a strategic location that is central within the Southwest U.S. marketplace. Visit choosetemple.com.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and support services.