'Made in Brevard Expo' showcases the Space Coast and the products that come from here

It's not all about the sun, beaches and launches on the Space Coast.

There is an expansive list of companies operating under the radar, some in the shadow of high-profile companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Harris Corp. and Northrop Grumman.

There's high-tech manufacturing for the aerospace industry, components for boats, skin products and software design. The list seems to grow longer each year.

Many of those companies, and their wares, will be on display at the fifth annual "Made in Brevard," Expo from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Radisson at the Port, 8701 Astronaut B Cape Canaveral. The event is being put on by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast.

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More than 30 companies will display their products and services at the event, which is free and open to the public.

"We're seeing more companies participating and recognizing that this is a community that understands and honors the manufacturers," said Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive of the EDC.

"And I think we're seeing more recognition and appreciation of them — and that manufacturing drives this economy," Weatherman said.

Manufacturing jobs make up about 5 percent of the jobs in the Sunshine State, she said.

"We have 10 percent, double the share," Weatherman said. "So it's in our DNA on the Space Coast and an important piece of our economic base."

In the last five years the participating companies with Made in Brevard have grown to include specialty manufacturers, representatives of the boating industry and 3-D printing companies.

"It's not just space and it's not just aerospace," Weatherman said.

Ken Brace, owner of Rapid Prototype Services in Satellite Beach, has been a participant at the "Made in Brevard Expo" for all five years. Brace operates five 3-D printers and works for some of the major players in aerospace, as well as providing services to area entrepreneurs and inventors.

"The expo opens people's eyes to what's being done here," Brace said. "No one ever realizes some of the activities taking place. Sometimes you never hear about companies like us."

New to this year’s expo, the EDC will introduce its "Made Here" speaker series. Lightning rounds of tech talks, starting at 2:30 p.m., will include presentations from top companies such as Lockheed Martin Space, Rockwell Collins, and Boeing as well as new manufacturers in the area such as RUAG Space USA, Aeronyde, and Xtremes.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. the EDC will award several companies in the industry with Manufacturer of the Year and Innovation Company of the Year.

To learn more about this year’s Made In Brevard Expo, visit spacecoastedc.org.

Contact Price at 321-242-3658

or wprice@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @Fla2dayBiz