Starting out in our garage , Larry taught me how to machine parts ; my first were overhead stow bin latches . I still remember the finish was brown and textured like sand . Four hundred parts were all machined on a manual mill , with eight hundred holes drilled and tapped , each requiring a separate set up . That is when I began thinking “ How could we drill and tap in one operation to save time ?”
We continued to grow our business and it was not long before Hobart was a direct supplier to The Boeing Company , supporting many programs in defense , space , and new commercial aircraft development .
The engineers at Boeing were confident in our work and urged us to support the Aris ( active rack isolation system ) for the MIR space station , Airborne Laser , V-22 Osprey rotor test fixtures , and satellite cradles .
Through expansion we started supporting the Sea Launch program , making edge margin closures , venting doors for the rockets , actuator housings for opening the payload bay doors to release the satellites , plus many other components and assemblies .
During this time , NASA asked me to serve on an all-volunteer space supplier council overseen by the Aerospace Space Corporation . Meetings took place at SCIF ’ s — top security clearance facilities ; I served for 14 years .
Through our associations we were fortunate to have engaged with many Boeing Company CEO ’ s — sitting next to Stan Deal talking about workforce issues at a supplier diversity conference ; engaging in conversation with Alan Mullaly , Phil Condit , Scott Carson , and Ray Conner about our industry and supply chain while advocating for our industry on the global stage .
Expanding into other technologies , we started exporting , which was not part of our business plan . Our customer was the driving force and guided us through the steps , with help from the Bureau of Industry and Security and our local U . S . Commercial Service office . This led to an appointed position on our local District Export Council , serving as a volunteer for over twenty years .
As we grew , education and training gained increasing importance to us , with development of an internship program starting with high school students at age 15 .
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DECEMBER 2022 | JANUARY 2023 ISSUE NO . 30 49