Machinery firm brings HQ, jobs to region

TAMPA — A large manufacturer of CNC wire bending machines plans to invest $4 million in a new Hillsborough County headquarters facility and hire 45 local workers.

Currently based in Addison, Ill., Automated Industrial Machinery Inc. has clients in the automotive, aerospace, military, medical, point-of-purchase display, refrigeration, food service, agricultural and storage industries in 58 countries, according to a press release.

In addition to moving its headquarters to Tampa, AIM,  founded in 1992, plans to launch a new company that will manufacture micro wire-bending machines for the manufacturing of orthodontic appliances and sleep apnea industry.

“After two years of extensive research and the examination of six states, I found that the state of Florida is the best choice to relocate my company,” states Constantine Grapsas, president of AIM, in the release. “I fell in love with Tampa from my first visit. Tampa offers a significantly friendlier business climate ... and Tampa’s outstanding international airport makes it easy to travel for our clients around the world. I wish I had done this research 27 years ago.” 

For its new headquarters, AIM has purchased a 52,900-square-foot building at 14101 McCormick Drive, Tampa. It will hire 45 local employees for positions in engineering, sales, marketing, administration, component manufacturing and assembly, with an average salary of $58,000, according to the release.