Ciba to Move Miami Facility to Anaheim : Operations: Airplane parts maker says consolidation will not bring any new jobs.

Ciba Composites, a division of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Ciba-Geigy International AG, said Monday it is moving one of its manufacturing facilities from Miami to Anaheim.

The Miami operation produces a material called honeycomb core, which is used in the production of airplane floorboards. All of the other materials used to build floorboards are already made at the factory in Anaheim.

Ciba spokeswoman Donna Roos said the company is consolidating its manufacturing operations because both the Miami and Anaheim plants have been underutilized as the defense industry downsizes.

The opportunity came in August when Engelhard/ICC, a maker of high-performance air-conditioning systems, made an $8-million offer to purchase the Miami factory.

The company is also researching new technologies that apply to the development of honeycomb core. “It makes sense to have the manufacturing here as well,” Roos said, “because the research and development all goes on in Anaheim.”

The move, however, will bring no new jobs to Orange County. Ciba’s 60 Miami employees will stay on there with Engelhard/ICC when it moves in. The company’s current Anaheim staff will take over responsibility for the honeycomb core manufacturing.

The shift of manufacturing operations from Miami to Anaheim will take place over the next two years, Ciba said.