Aerospace Contractor Moving to LI

PLAINVIEW, NY-Although the end of the Cold War triggered an exodus of tens of thousands of aerospace jobs away from Long Island, one defense contractor is moving in the opposite direction. Cox & Co., a 60-year-old supplier of aerospace ice protection and temperature control systems for both commercial and military aircraft, will relocate from Lower Manhattan into 90,000 square feet here later this month.

A spokesman for Williams Real Estate, which brokered the $35-million deal, says Cox will save about $1.65 million in rent per year, or 50% of its current rent, by moving out of Manhattan and into Steel Equities’ 1650 Old Country Rd. Additionally, the aerospace contractor is receiving incentives from Nassau County and New York State.

“This was a highly unusual and intricate deal, with several organizations involved and a lot of moving parts,” says Robert Tunis, senior executive managing director at Williams Real Estate, in a release. “Cox & Co. was hesitant to move before the end of its lease in 2010, and Steel Equities was hesitant to lock into a deal so far in advance. After many months of negotiations, the planets all came into alignment and now, a defense contractor is moving to Long Island instead of away from it.”