Bennie Lee's development of Wichita's North Webb Corridor is featured on KSN News' Business Beat ...
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August 27, 2007
More Development—and Jobs— for Wichita's North Webb Corridor
(Wichita, Kan.) – On August 20, 2007, Lee Air Inc. President Bennie M. Lee Jr. filed for a subdivision plat to begin development of a business and industrial park at 40th Street North and Webb Road, directly across from the north end of Jabara Airport. The development, which will be called Webb Business Park, comprises 80 acres with lots ranging in size from five to 27 acres.
Webb Business Park will have a 10-acre reserve with a private pond, walking path and green space to serve as an employee wellness resource.
“It will be an environment designed to attract and retain employees,” said Lee. “We’re competing for workers in a shrinking labor market and have to add value to the recruitment and retention process. One way we plan to enhance the work experience is by including a scenic space where employees can decompress during the work day.”
Lee’s vision for Webb Business Park is that it will be home to 2,000 new and retained jobs by the year 2020.
“The park will appeal to growing businesses that can benefit from close proximity to a general aviation airport, K-96, K-254 and all the amenities along the North Webb Corridor, such as the Waterfront.” said Lee.
Lee Air will be the first company to relocate to Webb Business Park in early 2009, moving from a 10,000 square foot facility in southwest Wichita to a 40,000 square foot facility. “We’re growing, and we’re out of room in the current building,” said Lee.
Lee estimates the park will accommodate 750,000 square feet of total building space.
The land was acquired from three owners, including Ritchie Corporation, which operated an asphalt plant on 20 of the park’s 80 acres. Extensive environmental testing was performed at the site, and the land was given a clean bill of health.
“The Ritchies ran a clean operation and were excellent stewards of the land while they owned it,” said Lee.
The Webb Business Park development team was Bradley Tidemann of J.P. Weigand & Sons; Rob Hartman of Professional Engineering Consultants; Jeff Van Sickle and Steve Perry of McCluggage Van Sickle & Perry; Craig Duerksen of Commerce Bank; Mike Babich of Babich & Associates (financing); Ken Wallace of Terracon (environmental site testing); Chris Steincamp of Depew Gillen Rathbun & McInteer, LC (environmental attorney); Don Hill of Martin & Churchill Chartered (corporate attorney); and Bert Denny of Regier Carr & Monroe (accountant).
A general contractor has not been selected at this time.
For over 26 years, Lee Air has “energized” aircraft by designing and manufacturing aircraft electronics. While Lee Air’s customers are located all over the world, its three largest customers are located in Wichita, Kan. They are: Cessna Aircraft Company, Electromech Technologies and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
August 9, 2006
Lee Air Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Bennie Lee – President, cuts Lee Air’s 25th anniversary cake. During the employee luncheon and celebration,
Bennie commented:
“It is just amazing how far we have come in 25 years. From simple components like bonding jumpers to complex solid state electronics like the Pitch Trim Controller. From a 1500 sqft. facility with wooden benches to a 10,000 sqft. facility with state of the art hand and robotic assembly”.
Bennie has reason to celebrate. Lee Air is a great company with great employees. For 25 years, Lee Air has been setting the bar for reliability in aircraft electronics. Today, more than 17 airframe manufactures and subcontractors consistently rely on Lee Air to provide high quality Aircraft Electronic Assemblies.
March 1, 2006:
Cessna Aircraft Company Grants Lee Air Delegated Inspection Authority
Awards continue to come in for Lee Air as Cessna Aircraft grants Lee Air their prestigious "Supplier Delegated Inspection Authority" award for outstanding performance. The award emphasizes the dedication to quality efforts Lee Air provides it's customers.
September 21, 2005:
Hurricane Relief Becomes a Lee Air Priority and Provides Support for Victims
Because of the devastation as a result of the Katrina Hurricane, Lee Air employees stepped up and took action. The Lee Air employees donated approximately 100 pounds of water, diapers and canned goods and gave generously by offering a check in the amount of $560. To show that the employees generosity was not overlooked, and because they truly care, the company also donated a check in the amount of $5,000.
April 20, 2005:
Excellence is Key for Lee Air at Raytheon
Raytheon Aircraft Company presents Bennie Lee, President of Lee Air, with the Raytheon Aircraft Company Achievement Coin of Excellence. Fine Print reads: “ Bennie and his company always goes above and beyond to support us when we have the need. This coin is to show our appreciation of their commitment to excellence.”.
April 1, 2005:
1000th Delivery of Pitch Trim Controller
Lee Air Employees Celebrate last month’s delivery of its 1000th 400A / 400XP Pitch Trim Controller
March 14, 2005:
Lee Air Receives Coveted Cessna Award
Jack Pelton, Chairman, President & CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company presents Bennie Lee with the coveted Cessna Supplier Performance Award. Lee Air earned a GOLD award for both 2003 and 2004 perfect performance. During the presentation, Cessna stated “ For 24 years, Lee Air has designed and manufactured Electronic Controls and Sensors for Cessna Aircraft. Since 2003, their Quality rating has been below 250PPM. Since 1995, a reliability rating of 100% has been maintained, and since 2001, over 50,000 Electronic Assemblies have been delivered 100% on time”
January 2004:
Lee Air wins FAA certification for a Lee Air designed and built Solid State Contactor for an aircraft OEM.
