Asian Firms To Add Jobs Set Up Hubs

By Zachary S. Fagenson
Two Asian firms are setting up in Miami-Dade, creating 70 jobs and investing $2.4 million over three years.

It’s unclear how many of those jobs will be filled locally and how many will be staffed from the companies’ headquarters.

Crystal Mover Services Inc., a transportation operations and maintenance company from Japan, established its US headquarters here to support two automated trains at Miami International Airport. The first will be at the North Terminal and the second, the MIA Mover, will connect Miami International Airport with the new rental car center.

The company is to create 60 jobs and invest $1 million over three years.

Uni Logistics America LLC, a Chinese freight forwarder specializing in international air and sea transportation, has opened a Miami office that is to create 10 jobs and spur $1.4 million in investment.

The Beacon Council, the county’s economic development partnership, helped both set up operations.

The council wasn’t able to say how many Miamians may work for either company or the positions’ average salary.

"I think Crystal Mover Services, as well as the Chinese company, will bring [in] some people [and] hire some locally," said Beacon Council CEO Frank Nero.

Neither company applied for the state’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund, which offers a $3,000 refund for jobs created in high-growth sectors paying 115% of average wage.

Yet they could be an indicator of what’s to come.

"We’re working on a major project from China and we hope this is the first wave," Mr. Nero added. "We’re seeing a lot more interest coming from Asia, not only China and Japan but also Taiwan."

The Beacon Council has been asked to visit Taiwan, Mr. Nero added, while 30 Taiwanese companies are due here in September. Advertisement