Dear Supplier Partners,

As you are no doubt aware, the global spread of the COVID-19 virus has reached the United States and there now has been multiple confirmed cases of the virus affecting individuals throughout the United States. The protection and well-being of our colleagues, customers, suppliers and our surrounding communities from the risks of the spread of the COVID-19 virus is the top priority and therefore we have developed and implemented policies and procedures to address any outbreak in our community.

This communication is being sent to update you on the precautionary actions being taken at Gar Kenyon in alignment with our response plan that may impact representatives and employees from your company.

Effective March 13, 2020 and until further notice, suppliers will continue to be able to access the facility to drop-off and pick-up items, but no longer permitted to physically enter the building.  Our shipping, receiving and outside processing personnel will remain available to meet suppliers and their representatives at our dock doors to facilitate transactions.

Please note that any supplier representative who has traveled to or through China, Italy, Iran, Japan and/or the Republic of Korea in the 14 days prior to their intended visit is strictly prohibited from entering the facility grounds.  We ask for your help in self-identifying and assisting in advising any individual to which this would apply.

Please reinforce with your employees the need to practice good hygiene habits including the regular washing of hands and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as well as seeking appropriate medical attention if one feels ill or has a fever.

Effective March 13, 2020 customers will no longer be allowed to access the facility.  All meetings and visits should be done via phone, web-ex or other appropriate media.

We would like to thank you for your support in adhering to these precautionary measures which have been established to limit the exposure to and potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.  We will keep you informed of any changes to the policies as they become available.  If you have any questions or require further clarification, please reach out to your point of contact in our Supply Chain organization.

Thank you,

Shelly Anderson
President

Gar Kenyon

March 23, 2015

The Loar Group today announced it has acquired SAF Industries, LLC (dba GarKenyon), a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of precision components used in hydraulic and pneumatic systems across the aircraft. Headquartered in Meriden, Connecticut (USA), GarKenyon designs and manufactures valves, manifolds and actuators for landing gear, flight controls, engine / fuel controls and other hydraulic and pneumatic systems for the commercial aerospace, business jet, general aviation and defense markets. Today over 95% of GarKenyon’s revenues are from proprietary products. The business will continue to operate as GarKenyon.

Speaking on behalf of the Loar Group, Dirkson Charles (Chief Executive Officer) said, “We are excited about the addition of GarKenyon to the Loar Group family of companies. The combination of Loar’s aerospace experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and resources with GarKenyon’s deep experience in hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical components will result in a stronger enterprise that is better positioned to serve our customers. The addition of GarKenyon’s highly engineered and proprietary products will also allow us to improve our solutions-based engineering approach to assisting Loar’s customers. We are focused on bringing our resources to bear to position GarKenyon to invest in new platforms, and we look forward to continuing to work with GarKenyon’s strong group of blue-chip aerospace customers.”

Steve Fournier, Chief Executive Officer of GarKenyon said, “I am very pleased to transition ownership and management of GarKenyon to the Loar Group. Loar is an outstanding organization with a strong track record of driving growth of its business units while working together with its customers to provide high quality aerospace components. I look forward to watching GarKenyon continue to grow under the leadership of the Loar management team.”

The Loar Group is a diversified manufacturer and supplier with established relationships with leading aerospace and defense OEMs worldwide. Its mandate is to create a strategic global alliance of companies specializing in the design and manufacture of aerospace and defense components. Loar provides its partners and customers with innovative, cost-effective capabilities and responsive, dependable service, leading to profitable and sustainable long-term relationships. The Loar Group is an affiliate of JLL Partners, Inc.

JLL Partners is a middle-market private equity firm with a 27-year track-record of adding value to complex investments through financial and operational expertise. Since its founding in 1988, JLL Partners has committed approximately $4.4 billion across six funds. The firm has developed significant expertise in sectors including aerospace, healthcare, building products, financial services, and business services.For more information, please visit www.jllpartners.com

For more information please contact Mr. Dirkson Charles at dirksoncharles@loargroup.com  or visit our company websites: www.loargroup.com  and www.garkenyon.com

GarKenyon’s 60 years of experience as a supplier to the aviation industry has been enhanced by a growth in its engineering department, developing new products to meet customer demands. A notable, recent piece of business is the production of valves and spoilers for the privately funded spaceship company, Virgin Galactic, a company on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline.

GarKenyon’s focus and expertise is in the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of components for the aviation and defense industries.  The Naugatuck company produces hydromechanical, electromechanical and mechanical parts and assemblies. From master brake cylinders, shuttle valves, restrictors and shutoff valves to main landing gear door actuators and potable water fill-valves, GarKenyon products can be found in military aircraft, long-range business jets, the KC46 tanker, a Russian commercial jet and more. GarKenyon prides itself on technical excellence, responsiveness and innovation.

The company’s roots date back to the 1950s when Kenyon Instrument merged with Gar Precision’s valve division in Brewster, New York. After dominating the military market with products on attack, fighter and transport aircraft and expanding into the general and business aviation market, GarKenyon was acquired by SAF Industries in 2003 and moved to Naugatuck.  In 2011, SAF Industries acquired General Pneumatics Company of New Jersey, which has broadened GarKenyon’s capabilities and offerings, including a product line and improvements for inflatable devices for air slides and missiles.

Chairman & CEO Steve A. Fournier says the company has seen a 25 percent growth in 2013 and 20 percent so far in 2014. He attributes the growth to the development of new products and an expanded presence with their sales offices – one in Sarasota, Florida, and a new one in Palmdale, California. He also noted that the company conducts process improvement events to ensure production is running efficiently.

Involvement with the Naugatuck and Waterbury Regional Chambers and their Manufacturers Council has been a good affiliation, according to Fournier.  He mentioned Richard DuPont, of Resource Development Associates and Chair of the Council, as a good liaison and contact person for manufacturing issues.  Fournier also appreciates Chamber lobbyist Armando Paolino, of Paolino Public Affairs Corp., paying attention to the needs of manufacturers. “The Chamber is doing a good job,” he said, “The networking has helped us connect with resources for such areas as labor development and recruitment.”

GarKenyon has also had a good track record with interns, some of whom have been hired in permanent positions. The company was able to hire two engineering interns (one male and one female) from Central Connecticut State University through the aid of the Connecticut Innovations Program. “We put them right to work,” said Fournier. “They see first-hand how valves work, they help improve designs and they make customer calls.”

Fournier expects the company to continue growing because of the nature of what they do. He noted that it is sometimes four to five years before they are paid for a part, because of research, development, design and then production.  However, once that initial investment is made, the company could be producing the part for many years to come.

Although the U.S. government’s defense budget has been shrinking over the past few years, Gar Kenyon continues to find success in providing support for a wide range of military platforms, including programs in development, full-rate production programs, and legacy programs that are being upgraded and modified.

NAUGATUCK, CT – As the U.S. government continues to tighten its belt by reducing the defense budget, GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense finds ways to thrive. “Our ongoing success in light of the decreases in military spending is a testament to our ability to be responsive to the changing needs of our customers,” explains GarKenyon’s sales and marketing manager Eric Mansholt. “In addition to the high level of customer service we provide, we have the ability to meet the military industry’s technical needs at competitive prices.”

According to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, taking into account the budget for 2014, total military defense spending has dropped more than $80.2 billion since 2010. This downward trend is expected to continue.

In addition to supporting existing full rate production platforms such as the Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile, GarKenyon is providing critical fluid control solutions for programs currently under development. These programs include the KC46A air refuel aircraft, Firebird UAV and the Scorpion light attack aircraft. Products include a solenoid controlled valve, flow limiter, pressure compensator, NLG actuator, and control and braking system valves.

One of the most effective ways the military is dealing with the shrinking budget is to revive legacy programs through upgrades and modifications. GarKenyon is supplying brake shuttle manifolds to assist the U.S. Air Force with retooling the E-6 program. “This is another area where we excel,” says Eric. “We are happy to able to respond quickly with the parts our customers need to extend the life of existing programs.”

About GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense
GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense is an industry leader in the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of components for the aviation and defense industries. For more than 60 years, GarKenyon has been committed to creating the most advanced mechanical, electromechanical, and hydro-mechanical aerospace components and assemblies.

To learn more about GarKenyon’s aerospace, design, fabrication, assembly, and testing capabilities, please contact the following and visit their website at www.garkenyon.com

Contacts

Jonathan Fournier
Vice President of Sales
GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense
Phone 203-317-2670
Cell – 203-558-1887
Fax – 203-317-2605

Contact Us to Schedule a Meeting

On Meeting with customers at the NBAA in Orlando, Florida this week, CEO Steven Fournier had this to say: “Positive momentum in short term sales, with strong activity on new platforms.”

GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense was featured on a recent episode of Business Update:Aerospace & Defense on The Discovery Channel

February 13, 2012 – Naugatuck, Connecticut 

Chairman & CEO Steven Fournier has transformed GarKenyon Aerospace & Defense into an efficient, lean manufacturer of aerospace hydraulic & pneumatic components. With more than 60 years of experience, GarKenyon has weathered the recent tough economic storm and come out stronger than ever before.

About Business Update: Aerospace & Defense

Whether by land, air or sea, this special edition series is dedicated to highlighting the organizations and technologies protecting our country. Topics include: Aircraft, Avionics, Simulation, Defense, UAV, Technology and much more. For more information visit: www.dmgproductions.org or call (866) 496-4065.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Logo

This holiday season GarKenyon offered its employees the opportunity to share with those children who are less fortunate in the Greater Waterbury Area by picking an Angel from our company Christmas tree.

All 20 Angels were taken and it turned out to be a great example of our employee’s willingness to make this holiday special for a child. The executive staff was completely moved by those who participated and appreciate the wonderful acts of kindness they created.

We thank The Salvation Army for serving as our conduit for this expression of care through the Angel Tree Program.

GarKenyon’s 2011 Angel Tree

November 10, 2011

GarKenyon Has Acquired Pneumatic Business,

General Pneumatics Corporation of New Jersey

New Acquisition Reflects Sustainable Growth for the CT Company

GarKenyon reveals continued growth pattern in design and manufacture of aviation equipment by expanding pneumatic product line with acquisition of pneumatic valve manufacturer from New Jersey. GarKenyon has over a 60-year history as a leader in the design, manufacture and overhaul of reliable precision engineered hydraulic and pneumatic aircraft components.

Naugatuck, CT, November 9, 2011 – It was announced today that GarKenyon  has acquired General Pneumatics Corporation, a New Jersey based design and manufacturing company in pneumatic control valves and pressure regulators. The move to merge the additional product lines into the GarKenyon existing pneumatics offerings gives GarKenyon additional service and product strength in the ever-changing aerospace industry.

“This acquisition makes tremendous sense for us,” shares GarKenyon CEO and President Steven Fournier. “We are on a steady course to bring world class technology and innovation under one umbrella, and adding GPC’s engineering, design and manufacturing history is exactly the type of expansion we need to grow our core business model.”

The global aerospace industry contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the world economy. Players in the global aerospace industry include Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Honeywell, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and the Department of Defense, among others. These players are the companies that GarKenyon does business with, and will continue to expand offerings with their newly acquired company General Pneumatics.

General Pneumatics is a small, privately-held company with established world-wide recognition for its patented custom design and manufacturing of hydraulic and pneumatic valves, pressure regulators, aspirators and inflation control systems, over several decades. These components are supplied to aircraft manufacturers and airlines globally.

With the addition of these new product lines to GarKenyon’s expanding design and manufacturing lines, inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine and military markets, GarKenyon will continue supplying to the same “Who’s Who” with engineering operations excellence.

GarKenyon Aerospace and Defense is celebrating its 60^th year as a recognized leader in the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of advanced, high-quality, hydro-mechanical, electromechanical and mechanical components and assemblies for aerospace. The combination of technical excellence, responsiveness and innovation makes GarKenyon the industry’s source for hydraulic and pneumatic aerospace components.

2011 October – Las Vegas, NV

Key executives from GarKenyon Aerospace & Defense joined the more than 26,077 attendees at the National Business Aviation Association’s 64th Annual Meeting & Convention held in Las Vegas on October 10-13.  Representing GarKenyon were President & CEO, Steve Fournier,  VP/GM, Khoi Vu and Director Business Development & Operations, Jonathan Fournier.  The group had a chance to visit with key customers and develop new relationships with potential customers who are interested in GarKenyon’s extensive offering of hydraulic & pneumatic components. The event was a great success and allowed some great interaction with customer products.

Steve & Jonathan Fournier check out a Piper Malibu Matrix @ NBAA

Khoi & Steve in front of Piper static display

To Our Customers, Suppliers & Employees:

We wanted to provide you an update following our recent loss of power from Hurricane Irene over this past weekend. Fortunately our facility sustained no damage and we are awaiting the local utility company’s restoration of our electrical power at any time. We anticipate this will be a minimal disruption and fully expect to have our entire operation running at full capacity tomorrow September 1st. We are maintaining a minimal staff during our normal business hours to address any question or concerns. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

GarKenyon