IRVIN-GQ
Parent TransDigm Group | | |
Website | irvingq.com |
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IrvinGQ, formerly known as Airborne Systems, is an aerospace manufacturing company based in Llangeinor, Wales, United Kingdom. It specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of a range of parachutes and emergency, rescue and survival equipment for both the military and civilian markets.[1]
The company can trace its routes back to the Irvin Airchute Company, founded in 1919, and GQ Parachutes, founded in 1932. Both firms had become key manufacturers of emergency escape parachutes by the end of the 1930s, selling their products to many air forces throughout the globe. The rival firms cooperated during the
The Irvin Airchute Company was ultimately acquired by its long-time collaborator GQ Parachutes. During 2001, the merged entity was named IRVIN-GQ. Having changed ownership multiple times over the years, the company is presently a subsidiary of aerospace conglomerate TransDigm Group. Since 2003, IrvinGQ has based its main UK manufacturing site in Llangeinor, Wales.
History
IrvinGQ has its origins in the Irvin Airchute Company, which was established during 1919 in
During 1932, James Gregory and Raymond Quilter founded another pioneering parachute manufacturer, GQ Parachutes. By the end of the 1930s, both companies had become well established major suppliers of emergency escape parachutes to many air forces around the world.
Both companies were able to maintain relevance following the end of the conflict; their products were adapted to suit the high-speed military aircraft that arrived during the 1950s and 1960s. Their parachutes were subsequently adopted by British aviation firm
Another market for their products was as
The Irvin Airchute Company was ultimately acquired by its long-time collaborator GQ Parachutes.[4] During 1994, the company acquired and integrated with Aircraft Materials Ltd, a specialist producer of survival equipment and aerial delivery platforms. During 2001, the merged entity was named IRVIN-GQ.[4] In 2007, it was rebranded as Airborne Systems; however, during 2018, the company readopted its previous name of IrvinGQ.[4]
During 2000, IRVIN-GQ was sold to Alchemy Partners, a private equity firm.[4] In December 2002, the company revealed a £5 million investment programme which included the creation of around 200 jobs, in addition to the relocation of its main UK production site from Blackmill in Bridgend to neighbouring Llangeinor.[3][8] Outside of the UK, IRVIN-GQ operates factories in both the United States and Canada. By late 2010, the Llangeinor facility reportedly employed around 250 people.[9]
During September 2006, representatives from the company formed part of a trade mission to
During 2010, IRVIN-GQ was sold to American private equity company Metalmark Capital.[4] During 2013, it again changed ownership, this time to aerospace conglomerate TransDigm Group. By 2020, the company's core products included naval decoy systems, parachutes, aerial delivery and survival equipment, and associated services.[4][11][12]
Associated companies
Co-located at Llangeinor with IrvinGQ are:
- Aircraft Materials Limited, a company for design, development and manufacture of a wide range of systems for the aerial delivery of cargo, aerial material handling, personnel and cargo restraint and safety harnesses.
- Advanced Inflatable Products, a manufacturer of balloons, inflatable and fabric engineered products for the defence and aerospace markets.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Parachute firm wins £50m deal to supply France". Wales Online. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Milestones". Airborne Systems. Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- ^ a b c "Parachute firm in job expansion". BBC News. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Our Story: Celebrating 100 Years of Saving Lives 1919 – 2019". IRVIN-GQ. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Parachute promises to make Mars landing safer". Flight International. 31 August 2004.
- ^ Coppinger, Rob (9 April 2007). "Irvin Aerospace selected for parachute systems for SpaceX Dragon capsule and its Falcon 9 launcher". Flight International.
- ^ "Strive to survive". Flight International. 16 August 1995.
- ^ "Irvin-GQ parachutes in 53 new jobs at second plant". Wales Online. 25 January 2002.
- ^ "Bridgend-based parachute manufacturer Airborne Systems Europe to employ more staff". Wales Online. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ "Morgan in Chinese trade mission". BBC News. 11 August 2004. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ "IrvinGQ". TransDigm Group. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Floating decoy seducts, distracts and confuses [IDEX19D3]". Janes. 19 February 2019.