Sparta is poised for 'growth spurt'
New building allows firm to consolidate, plan for BRAC

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

By BRIAN LAWSON
Times Business Writer brianl@htimes.com

Longtime Huntsville defense and space technology firm Sparta Inc. broke ground Tuesday on a new building that will consolidate the company's local operations and leave it with room to grow in concert with BRAC-fueled opportunities.

The 97,000-square-foot building will be built in Thornton Research Park, with another 35,000 square feet for additional growth. The project is expected to be completed in March, Sparta CEO Dr. Bob Sepucha said.

"This is an exciting day for Sparta," Sepucha told the crowd of some 150 gathered for the ceremony off Diamond Drive. "This will allow us to integrate several operations into a state-of-the-art facility, and it positions us for the next growth spurt, which I'm confident will happen.

"This is a reaffirmation."

Sparta, which started in Huntsville in 1979, does high-tech defense, intelligence and space-related work. The company has about 300 local employees.

Great success story

U.S. Rep Bud Cramer said Sparta's growth - 19 offices and about 1,400 employees worldwide - is a great success story. Cramer, D-Huntsville, said Sparta is likely to benefit from additional work brought here as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations to move military programs to Huntsville.

Wayne Winton started the company in Huntsville, along with Bob Vickery in California.

Sepucha said the company decided to expand here because it makes business sense and because Huntsville continues to offer growth opportunities. The company is expected to move some of its jobs now based in northern Virginia to Huntsville.

'Continuous growth'

"Of all the communities we get involved in, Huntsville has demonstrated continuous growth over the long haul, for the past 10-15 years," Sepucha said.

He expects the growth to continue.

"I said last year that Huntsville is one of the best-kept secrets in the U.S.," Sepucha said.

"But after talking to (university President) Dr. Franz at UAH yesterday, I don't think that's true anymore. Word has gotten around about what a great place this is to live and work and raise a family."

Sparta did $277 million in business last year.