BROOKSVILLE — The Office of Economic Development has announced that three Hernando County businesses are among the top 50 companies selected as GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch this year. The Hernando County honorees are AME International, Delamere Industries Inc. and Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services LLC.
To qualify for the award, companies must be headquartered in Florida and have between six and 150 employees and revenue between $750,000 and $100 million. From 2019 through 2022, Florida Companies to Watch collectively generated close to $2 billion in revenue and added 871 employees, reflecting a 99% increase in revenue and a 62% increase in jobs for the four-year period. That translates into a 27% average annual revenue growth and a 19% average annual growth in employees.
GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch projected continued growth in 2023, with a 28% revenue increase and a 22% growth in employees compared to 2022. If their projections hold, these companies will have generated more than $2.8 billion in revenue and added 1,370 employees over the last five years — a 155% increase in revenue and 97% increase in jobs since 2018.
“GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch was designed to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and to shine a spotlight on the most deserving companies,” said Jennifer Taylor, president and chief executive of GrowFL. “Second-stage businesses are the lifeblood of our state’s economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fueling prosperity.”
Hernando County is home to three of those companies.
“It’s an honor to have been nominated and recognized as one of the companies to watch in Florida,” said Keith Jarman, president of AME International. “Despite the challenges of the past few years, we’ve had excellent growth, fueled by an amazing team of employees.”
At Delamere Industries, “We are all delighted to be recognized as a 2023 honoree and look forward to utilizing the resources that are now available to us through GrowFL,” said Nicole F. Hughes, chief information officer. “We anticipate, and are fully committed to, significant further growth and expansion for many years to come and would like to thank the Hernando County Office of Economic Development and the gracious citizens of Brooksville for their continued support.”
Virgil D. Pizer, chief executive of Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services LLC, added, “I am proud of Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services’ growth over the years. Our growth would not be possible without our team’s commitment and dedication to providing customers with excellent service and results. We are proud to be based in Florida, where pro-business initiatives have made overcoming challenges and accelerating growth that much easier.”
Companies named to the list will be officially recognized at the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch celebration on Feb. 15, 2024, at the Hard Rock Live in Universal CityWalk, Orlando.
AME International is a worldwide supplier of tire service tools, accessories, and shop equipment.
Delamere is a leading manufacturer and installer of Florida Department of Transportation Handrail, FDOT Fence, Bullet Railing and Rectangular Tube Retrofit Railing across Florida. The company also installs many third-party commercial fencing products and completes custom manufacturing of metal products.
Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services LLC is an FAA- and EASA-certified global repair provider for aircraft gas turbine engines, accessories, and related platform components.