Lexington, KY - Belcan Corporation, a downtown Lexington firm with 145 employees providing engineering consulting services, is on the verge of a major expansion that could increase its workforce, according to its local manager.
"We're in a growth mode. Unfortunately, I can't announce anything at this point, but we've got some very good potential now, even potential that might double our facility size," said Chuck Mix, the general manager for Belcan's operations in Lexington, Stratford, Conn., and Bozeman, Mont. "We have some deals pending and are within days of hearing about a couple of those contracts."
Belcan is known in the aerospace industry for design and analysis, manufacturing engineering support, as well as drafting and other basic engineering skills. One of its largest clients is Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
"We do work on a project basis for our customers. They give us a statement of work saying what they would like us to do for them," said Mix. "Usually it's to design or redesign something and analyze it to make sure it will meet all the requirements that either the FAA or the U.S. government requires for military operations." The company also has local clients, such as Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company.
Mix said that if the anticipated contracts come through, the company would need to launch into a rapid expansion mode. The new, well-paying jobs would typically be in engineering, with some associate's degree engineering technicians in the blend. If expansion takes place, Mix said he expects Belcan to remain downtown, possibly at its current location, the World Trade Center on West Vine Street. He said there is available space in the complex for his company to grow.
Mix said Belcan's founder, Ralph Anderson, with encouragement from University of Kentucky President Dr. Lee Todd, made a commitment in 2005 to base the company downtown, and it has worked out well.
"A lot of our customers come downtown when they visit us, and it is great exposure to Kentucky and Lexington. We house them in nearby hotels, and they are able to walk to our offices. It's a great location," Mix said.
Russell Thompson, Realtor and relocation specialist for Milestone Realty Consultants, is already working to find housing for at least one new Belcan employee expected to move to Lexington from San Diego. She will be in a supervisory position, said Thompson, so the unnamed manager could be recruiting more workers if Belcan signs a host of new contracts.
"People seem to embrace the city when they come here. One thing she spoke to me about was how she couldn't wait to get back to a friendly community. She said that in California, everything seems to be driven by the dollar - what kind of house or car you have. But here, she said, it seems to be more about what kind of person you are," Thompson said.
Thompson said he would love to represent many of those new employees from around the country. "My favorite people to work with are from the Northeast or the West Coast, because when they get here, they absolutely love it," said Thompson, who said the best part of an expansion by Belcan would be the quality of the jobs. He cited recent downsizing at places like LexMark. "We have lost a lot of engineers from there. Hopefully this will help."
Mix talked about the combination of employees currently at Belcan and how the company's downtown location suits many of them. "We have a demographic of employees that is younger than the average OEM (original equipment manufacturer) would have for their engineering department," he said. "There's quite a bit going on downtown. They look for things to do and (want to) have options after work."
Belcan has strong ties to UK, sponsoring the senior projects for the College of Engineering and the MBA projects for the Gatton College of Business. Belcan staff visits UK to advise and evaluate the students' work.
"We've worked with UK to develop a better skill set in the graduates," said Mix. "Since we came here, UK has created an aerospace certificate for the mechanical engineering degree program, which allows students to focus on classes that are appropriate for the aerospace industry."
Mix added that having UK nearby allows Belcan to use 10 or 12 part-time students. "The school is only about six blocks away so students can ride a bike over or walk and that's been a nice benefit," Mix said.
In 2006, Belcan won the Leadership Achievement Award from the Downtown Lexington Corporation for being the business that "best exemplifies exceptional contributions to the business, civic or human vitality of downtown Lexington," according to the award criteria. Belcan is also a founding member of the UK Industrial Partner Program, which funds scholarships for the Department of Computer Sciences and works with the College of Engineering to cultivate opportunities for graduates.