Employee training translates to quality and growth
Twenty-eight years ago, Bob Austin acquired a 4,000 sq. ft. building, put a handful of people in it and started Helicomb International. His goal was to fill the market need for helicopter composite structure repair. As the company approaches its 30th anniversary with 115 employees and $20 million in revenue in 2008 alone, as company president, Austin has certainly met and exceeded his goal.
Based in Tulsa, Okla., Helicomb International produces commercial and military aircraft structures manufactured from a broad range of composite and metal-bonded material for leading aerospace manufactures, Tier 1 suppliers and overhaul service providers.
“We know what’s needed and how best to respond to customer needs quickly, “ Austin explained. “Accuracy and economy are keys to our success.”
Leading industry standards in quality and turn-around time are also key to Helicomb’s reputation as one of the most acclaimed repair facilities worldwide. “We receive parts for repair from around the world,” Austin said. “Customers can expect an average lead time of 2-3 weeks once we have the part.”
Quality assurance is done by a stable, knowledgeable workforce comprised of master mechanics with more than 30 years of experience. That experience and an emphasis by Austin on constant training are frequently recognized – in 2007 the Federal Aviation Administration presented the Diamond Award to 18 Helicomb employees. The Diamond Award is the agency’s highest award for training. “Training programs translate into mechanics working smarter and leaner,” Austin said.
Helicomb’s core competencies include fabrication and assembly of composite bonded structures, metal bonded structures, and metal processing for aluminum, stainless steel and titanium. The 4,000 square foot facility has grown to 80,000 with autoclaves and ovens, environmentally-controlled clean rooms – all set up to handle a myriad task for design, analysis, testing, repair or manufacture of bonded structures.
A 13,000 square foot expansion completed recently houses the company’s finished goods inventory of approximately 500 repaired parts for most helicopter types. “We keep a more than ample supply of parts so we can provide rapid response to our customers.”
Austin’s success with Helicomb was also recognized in the business world – in January a the company was acquired by Synchronous Aerospace Group, a leading provider of flight-critical machined aluminum and hard-metal components, integrated kits and complex assemblies to the commercial, military and space markets. Synchronous is majority-owned by Littlejohn and Co, of Greenwich, Conn. The acquisition expands the current Synchronous capabilities and allows the companies to supply higher-level and value-added assemblies to customers.