From military hybrid vehicles to smart energy grids, the applications for new-generation lithium-ion technology are as diverse as they are endless. At the center of this rapidly expanding market is Saft, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries. Fueled by the growing need for sustainable energy sources, Saft set out to open its sixteenth and most advanced plant yet. With delivery demands spanning from the Arctic Circle to Australia, finding a location with a comprehensive multimodal infrastructure was non-negotiable. Access to a high-skilled workforce was equally imperative, as was a business climate to facilitate continued growth. In the end, one strategic location emerged: Florida. Saft found the tech-savvy talent pool it needed in Florida's large veteran population, which makes up 50 percent of the company's workforce. To tap into a pre-established supply chain network, Saft intelligently positioned itself within Jacksonville's Cecil Commerce Center, where it shares a home with Pratt Whitney, Boeing and other major advanced manufacturers. With a site located less than 10 minutes from Cecil Airport, 30 minutes from the JaxPort and at the nexus of several major road and rail arteries, Saft can easily and affordably ship its products anywhere in the world. Ultimately, Saft found the state's cost-competitive business environment to be so conducive to growth that it relocated its North American headquarters to Florida just one year later.
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