Vac-Con Announces Expansion Plans

Vac-Con Inc., a Green Cove Springs, Fla.-based manufacturer of high performance, truck-mounted vacuum equipment, will start construction on a multi-million dollar, 65,000-sq ft plant expansion to increase productivity and meet the growing demand for Vac-Con trucks worldwide.

A ground blasting ceremony was held June 5 to commemorate and celebrate the project and its positive impact on the area economy. Guests on hand for the event included local and state government representatives, as well as Vac-Con’s partners at JAXPORT and representatives from the Clay County Economic Development Council and the JAXUSA Partnership.

“This is a very significant point in Vac-Con’s growth, as it impacts Jacksonville and the surrounding counties by keeping jobs here on the First Coast, and gives our current customers in Florida and abroad the confidence to know we are here for them,” said Vac-Con president Darrell LeSage.

“Vac-Con remains passionate about building our trucks right here in Green Cove Springs, partnering with local businesses that help us build a quality product and having access to the vibrant work force throughout Northeast Florida” says Vac-Con marketing manager Tom Jody.

According to the press release, Vac-Con substantially contributes to the Jacksonville area’s economy by providing direct employment opportunities, as well as positively impacting the economy for area businesses. Since the 1980s, Vac-Con has generated $1.5 billion-plus in revenues, and it has directed approximately 90 percent back to the economy through payroll, taxes and the support of local businesses. The new facility will impact the economy with an immediate increase in employment.

On top of being a powerful benefit to the area economy, Vac-Con is 100 percent  employee owned and offers employees the flexibility to specialize in a preferred skill set and enables transition into department management and team leadership roles. Growing the Vac-Con employee base through advanced training programs and performance reviews has kept loyalty and overall productivity high because employees have a vested interest in both their careers and their company, the press release said.