JRL Enterprises buying Wellcraft facility

Cape Coral-based JRL Enterprises Inc. announced plans to purchase the former Wellcraft manufacturing facility in south Manatee County to expand the composite tool-making business of an affiliated company, JRL Ventures Inc. The expansion is expected to create 80 new jobs over three years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Manatee Economic Development Corp.

“The former Wellcraft facility has been sitting idle since 2008 when the marine manufacturing operation was moved,” Hillstrom says in a press release. “We are pleased to work with Bob Long, whose engineering and custom composite manufacturing business will bring this large property back to life with high-impact jobs.”

Long, who worked as president of Wellcraft in Manatee County from 1976 through the '80s, is the owner and CEO of JRL Enterprises, its affiliate, JRL Ventures and an associated business, Marine Concepts.