Agency contact:
Michael King, King Group.
Phone: 1.805.462.3000.
E-mail: mking@kinggroup.com

The McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group

The McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group companies—Hartwell, HASCO®, TAC, and Tyee — are each leaders in the design, manufacture and logistic support of a wide range of structural components, systems, and assemblies for the Aerospace industry. Through the McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group, OEMs, supporting systems manufacturers, operators and MROs have access to an industry renowned source for problem solving, engineering excellence, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and global program support. Through a process the company calls Solutioneering, each of the Structures Group Companies work independently and in concert to support customers worldwide with “first to market” solutions in a wide range of products from high performance latches and latching systems to flight control rods, engine bearing struts, as well as complex engine and airframe systems and assemblies. In addition, the group also offers Six Sigma/lean manufacturing capability, customer logistics management, and global customer support.

Solutioneering: it’s the difference
Solutioneering is the delivery vehicle of McKechnie Aerospace benefits, i.e. the fulfillment of opportunities through pioneering solutions in products and services to deliver the lowest possible cost of ownership. Through the McKechnie Aerospace structures Group, aircraft OEMs and supporting manufacturers have access to this unique process and can solve problems based on real world experience. Unlike traditional engineering/manufacturing partners, the McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group is involved with “full cycle” support and provides a direct link to collaboration and extensive product support through the combined resources of the members of the McKechnie aerospace group.

The following is a brief description of the heritage companies that make up the McKechnie Structures Group.

Profile: Hartwell
Hartwell is a leader in the design and manufacture of quick access latches, latching systems, and complex door and other assemblies for aircraft. In business for over 65 years, the company has developed many of the latches and latching systems in use today. Hartwell supports engine and airframe OEMs, as well as systems manufacturing with what is commonly acknowledged as the industry's most rapid response for prototypes and "first to market" concepts. Hartwell latches can be found on virtually every platform flying in the western world today. Hartwell supports its customers with specialized manufacturing programs and customer logistics programs.

Markets served: commercial, regional, corporate, military.

Key Products: latches for engine cowlings, integrated latching systems for nacelles and thrust reversers, as well as interior and exterior access panels, cargo doors and interior stowage bins.

Profile: HASCO®
HASCO® is the aftermarket arm for Hartwell and VELCRO® products. A long-term supply partner to many of world’s operators and OEMs, the company excels at value-added services including just-in-time scheduled deliveries from on-hand inventory to reduce cost of ownership for its customers. For AOGs (aircraft on ground), HASCO® can ship product from stock in less than 4 hours. Normal lead-time for stock is same-day service.

Markets served: corporate, commercial, MRO, regional, turbine engine, helicopters and military.

Key Products: Hartwell latches, hinges, Tyee rods, struts, Nylatch®, Lockwell® pins and VELCRO® products.

Profile: TAC
Technical Airborne Components (TAC) is the manufacturer of choice for custom mechanical control and structural assemblies used in aerospace (fixed wing and rotor aircraft) and space industries. TAC has earned a well deserved reputation as the premiere fast source for high quality custom engineered mechanical controls and structural assemblies including rods and struts - providing quick engineering response, rapid prototyping, and short qualification and approvals processes. The company is widely recognized for its aeronautical struts, and has long been qualified by Europe's major airframe builders.

Markets served: Commercial, regional, corporate, military, space, fixed and rotary wing.

Key products: mechanical control assemblies, structural assemblies, structural rods and struts.

Profile: Tyee
Tyee Aircraft is a preferred supplier of rods, struts and engineered tubular components for the aircraft and aerospace industries. Tyee is a recognized leader in the design, test and manufacture of flight control rods, interior payload support tie rods, and aircraft engine load-bearing struts and braces for the aerospace industry. Known for innovation, the company’s experience in the development of structural support and flight control components, along with its extensive product and process qualifications, set it apart. Aircraft and aerospace customers call on Tyee for over 7,000 parts which are responsible for transferring pilot inputs to flight control surfaces and data recorders, for securing major structures such as engines, floor beams and kitchen galleys, and also for lighter work such as securing interior panels and overhead bins. The company has received product and process qualifications from all major manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft, and is qualified to support many space and launch systems through prime contractors.

Markets served: Commercial, regional, corporate, military, space.

Key Products: flight control rods, interior payload support tie rods, aircraft engine load-bearing struts, braces, structures.

McKechnie Aerospace
In addition to providing innovative engineering and manufacturing/logistics support, the McKechnie Aerospace Structures Group is supported by the fastener and electromechanical groups. Heritage companies that comprise these groups include:

• Electromech
• Encore
• Linread Leicester
• Linread Redditch
• Valley-Todeco
• Welco

McKechnie Aerospace companies work in partnership with the airframe and engine manufacturers and their subcontractors in the conception and creation of new products. Wherever possible, the company strives to bring about pioneering solutions that create breakthroughs in performance and operating cost. Through the Structures Group, McKechnie Aerospace works closely with OEMs and other manufacturers in developing new generation products that enhance performance and dramatically reduce the total cost of ownership.