Press Releases
Danbury News Times; 10/20/2014
DANBURY
An increased demand for its products, including an exclusive contract from Bell Helicopter, has prompted Gar Electroforming to open its third facility in the city.
While the small manufacturer has made parts since the late 1960s for everything from military weapons systems to the Mars Global Surveryor and the space shuttle, new orders for an abrasion strip designed to prevents wear on helicopter blades has created the need for the new facility.
Company officials said Gar earlier this year signed a five-year, sole-source contract to provide abrasion strips for the Bell 429 helicopter.
“It’s extremely rare in the aerospace and defense industries to get a sole-source contract,” said Guy Rosato, the vice president of quality assurance for the company.
Rosato said helicopter blades can cost as much as $200,000 to replace. The strips created by electroforming nickel and cobalt protect the blades from damaging wear from sand and water.
President and CEO Russell Richter
Guy Rosato, vice president Electro
Alberto Pullara, left, and Tom Taggart
George Ray, owner of GAR Electroforming
GAR Electroforming receives a 5 year contract from Bell Helicopter
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 15, 2014)—Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. Company (NYSE: TXT) announce today a signed 5 year sole source agreement with GAR Electroforming div. of Electroformers Inc. to provide Abrasion sheaths for the Bell 429 helicopter. The sheaths protect the helicopter Main and Tail Rotor Blades from wear due to sand and water erosion. In support of this effort GAR Electroforming is upgrading its manufacturing facility at 11 Augusta drive and is currently remodeling a 16,000 sq/ft building at 10 Eagle Road, both in Danbury, CT.
The Bell 429 delivers exceptional speed, range, hover performance and enhanced safety margins with a fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and best-in-class WAAS navigation and IFR capability. The Bell 429 has more cabin space than any other light twin helicopter, with flat flooring and seating for seven passengers and one flight crew. Wide 60 inch side doors and optional rear clam-shell doors provide quick and easy access.