BLOOMFIELD, Connecticut., U.S.A. (April 24, 2014) Kaman Aerospace Group celebrates the grand opening of the new RWG bearings facility in Hochstadt, Germany on May 8th. The move to the new facility occurred from March to April and operations are currently at full production. RWG, part of the Kaman Specialty Bearings and Engineered Products division, was acquired in 2002 and has since more than tripled its revenue. Having outgrown its previous location in Dachsbach, the new Hochstadt facility will double current capacity and also provides options for future expansion. Additionally, the new facility provides tremendous opportunity for operational transformation with more efficient production layouts, improved processes, and the space for new, modern machine tools.
RWG and Kamatics Corporation make up the bearings division of Kaman and offer complimentary products to markets around the world. Synergies between the businesses have allowed for continued growth and Kaman now has bearing content on nearly every commercial aircraft flying today.
“We are very proud of the great accomplishments by the RWG team and this investment by Kaman in a high technology, lean factory in Germany is our commitment to the future success of the business. In addition to the operational gains that will be achieved, the Hochstadt location will help support future growth given that it is more central to current and perspective new employees,” said Rob Paterson, President of Kaman Specialty Bearings and Engineered Products.
RWG will also change its registered name on May 1st to RWG Germany GmbH from RWG Frankenjura-Industrie Flugwerklager GmbH. The new name will both preserve the RWG identity and also convey the proud German heritage of high-precision, high-quality bearing manufacturing to our markets and customers around the globe.
About Kaman
Kaman Aerospace Group is a segment of Kaman Corporation (NYSE:KAMN) founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman. Headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, Kaman Corporation conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; aerostructure engineering design analysis and FAA certification services; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company's SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. Additionally, the company is a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than four million items including bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, automation and MRO supplies to customers in virtually every industry. Kaman also provides engineering, design and support for automation, electrical, linear, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as belting and rubber fabrication, customized mechanical services, hose assemblies, repair, fluid analysis and motor management. More information is available at www.kaman.com.
