Several weeks, ago, I had the pleasure of joining Thomas Kearney, president and CEO of Kearflex Engineering, Inc., his family members and Kearflex employees for a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the $900,000 expansion of the company's Cypress St. manufacturing facility.
A corporate leader in certification to the international ISO 9000 standard, Kearflex's products is used on military and commercial aircraft in critical flight applications, including air data computers and instrumentation and cabin pressure systems. A family-owned company for 46 years (37 of them in Warwick), Kearflex has also been recognized by a military aircraft manufacturer for its "ship to stock" quality program - a demonstrated quality honor held by only a few in the entire vendor base.
Its engineering team has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge sensor technology with worldwide use in a broad range of advanced applications, such as commercial and military aircraft cabin control and safety systems. Its wide range of products also includes: sensor packs for ejection seats that protect pilots after an emergency egress; diaphragms that monitor eye fluid pressure during cataract surgery; components used in the International Space Station's cooling system controls; sensors that measure pressure in processing plant flow measurement applications; diesel generator protection in remote oil pumping rigs; and pneumatic leveling pressure capsules for use in circuit board manufacturing.
The expansion will add another 5,800 s/f to the existing 10,000 s/f facility, with 2,300 s/f dedicated to storage and the remainder designed as shipping/receiving, quality control, engineering lab and sensor production areas. Preliminary work, such as permitting and site clearing, has begun, with an estimated project completion date of March. Providence-based L.A. Torrado Associates is the architect, and Mill City Builders of Lincoln is the contractor.
In addition to generating new jobs and promoting stability for the company's future, the expansion, Kearney said, will allow Kearflex "to continue building on our core strengths and to move forward using innovative thinking and contemporary technology to build new products that have applications in industrial and commercial markets."
Critical to Kearflex's longevity and success, he says, is a continued emphasis on hard work, perseverance, innovation, and recognition of the unique qualities each employee brings to the company. Excluding family members who own and manage Kearflex, there are 25 people on the employee roster - all of whom have been with the company for at least 10 years, and more than half of whom have a quarter-century's time invested in Kearflex. And, even in lean years, the company has never used layoffs to cuts costs.
Kearflex's continued growth and expansion, particularly in this economy, reflects their commitment to customer service, their insistence on excellence and a continued desire to lead their industry with innovative products that use the most modern technology. We're proud that Kearflex is part of Warwick's business community and wish them all the best for even greater success and growth in the future.
Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick.