Z-Axis manufacturing facility in Ontario County

Empire State Development Announces Z-Axis Will Upgrade Ontario County Facility

NYS Investment Will Support Company’s Plan to Create up to 20 New Jobs at Electronic Design and Manufacturing Facility in the Village of Phelps

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced electronics design and contract manufacturer Z-Axis is again updating its facility in the Village of Phelps in Ontario County to better serve its customers. The project will include the installation of upgraded equipment and additional surface mount technology (SMT) lines.  As a result of the latest upgrades, the successful high-tech business plans to create up to 20 new jobs over the next three years; 80 jobs will be retained.  ESD is providing up to $150,000 for the project through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the company’s job creation commitment. Greater Rochester Enterprise also assisted with this project.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The decision by Z-Axis to further expand in Ontario County reflects the success of our strategic investments to revitalize the Upstate economy by adding jobs and opportunity.”

The total project cost for the updates to the Z-Axis design and manufacturing center has been placed at $800,000. The project is expected to be completed this summer.

Z-Axis President & Board Chairman Michael Allen said, “We have built our business on the ability to anticipate our customers’ changing needs, and the agility to continually adapt our production lines and skills to meet those needs.  This requires constant investment in equipment, along with access to world-class talent in electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, management, and electronics assembly. This has been a successful formula for us here in Western New York and we look forward to continued growth. “

Founded in Phelps in 1989, Z-Axis provides design, prototyping and manufacturing services for complex electronic products and electromechanical assemblies. The company also designs and manufactures commercial, industrial and medical power supplies under its Bear Power Supplies brand. The 32,000 square-foot facility includes both electronic design and contract manufacturing centers.  Z-Axis’ expertise includes analog, digital, mixed-signal, linear and power systems design together with high-tech electronics manufacturing in the USA.

State Senator Pamela Helming said, “Z-Axis’ success in the Village of Phelps and Ontario County is exciting for all of the residents and businesses of the Finger Lakes region. It means local jobs for local people, and it ensures our communities can continue to thrive and our local economy can continue to grow. The installation of upgraded equipment and additional technology sends a strong message that manufacturers can succeed in our region. I thank President Michael Allen and Z-Axis for their commitment to Ontario County, and I applaud Empire State Development, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Ontario County, and other stakeholders for their investment in this terrific project. As State Senator, I will keep working to ensure that manufacturers such as Z-Axis and other companies can do business and grow jobs in our region and in our state.”

State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb said, “Upgrading the Z-Axis facility in Phelps is a testament to the company’s continued success and commitment to the Finger Lakes Region. Retaining critical jobs here while taking steps to increase the workforce is a win-win for the company and our community. Over the past 30 years, Z-Axis has demonstrated a unique focus on meeting the demands of the marketplace and the needs of its customers. This important investment from New York State will help them succeed in today’s environment and implement strategies to adapt and achieve in the future.”

Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chair, Jack Marren, said, “Empire State Development, GRE, and Ontario County teamed together to support this advanced manufacturer grow and add jobs in Phelps.  This is a strategic business for Ontario County.  We are pleased Michael Allen and his team are investing in tomorrow at Z-Axis.”

Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “Z-Axis participated in GRE’s Economic Gardening program to garner market research and competitive intelligence to help them expand their sales network and reach strategic business goals. In addition, our GRE team connected Z-Axis senior leaders to the right people and resources to help support their company’s expansion in the Greater Rochester, NY region.”

For more information about Z-Axis, click here.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.

Contact: 

Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055

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