[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 145 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHEMTRONICS, INC.

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
business in my district celebrating it's 50th anniversary. In 1953, 
Bert Gross, James Lowry and Daniel Brimm joined together to start 
Chemtronics, Inc., a local small-business specializing in technology 
that could remove metal in a very rapid and controlled manner. Chem-
tronics, Inc. was incorporated in October 1953, with company offices 
and chemical etching facilities set up in rented World War II surplus 
barracks on Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California.
  Early sales efforts were focused on aircraft frames and skins but 
they soon realized that the chemical milling process could be applied 
advantageously to jet engine components as well. With this new 
opportunity, the company embarked on a campaign to earn a contract with 
General Electric Co., working on their TF-39 jet engine. From the 
middle 1960's into the early 1970's, Chem-tronics Inc., built around 
nine hundred of these parts.
  By the early 70's, tools and trained personnel were developed for 
repairing and accurately reforming titanium fan blades for jet engines 
utilizing a process patented by the company. This activity has expanded 
in scope and size over the years and is now a major element of the 
business with its own specialized management and marketing staff, known 
as Aviation Repair, also located in El Cajon, California.
  Chem-tronics, Inc., while still small, was becoming recognized as a 
high quality product-producing, vertically integrated, one-stop-shop 
facility. By 1975, Chem-tronics had products on space launch systems, 
most of the larger commercial airframes, and several of General 
Electric Co. and Pratt & Whitney Co.'s larger commercial jet engines.
  During this same period of time, Daniel Brimm, who had bought out his 
earlier partners, developed a unique integral stiffening feature with 
chemical milling that he patented called Unistructure. This was a 
critical turning point in the success of Chem-tronics, Inc. Since 
1976, Unistructure stiffened light-weight products have been designed 
and built for virtually every new By-pass Outer Duct for every military 
jet engine built in the USA. Driven by a company commitment to provide 
each customer with a one-stop-shop, Chem-tronics began to supply 
complete product design services in 1978, which included computer aided 
design and computer, aided manufacturing.

  The trend of expanding Chem-tronics' technology has continued over 
the years with increasing levels of production, factory floor space, 
manpower and facilities. Major customers include General Electric Co., 
Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, Rolls-Royce-Allison, Allied Signal, 
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing. Through these customers, 
Chem-tronics' products have become an important part of military and 
commercial aircraft, such as the B-1B and B2 Bombers, Joint Strike 
Fighter, F22 Raptor, as well as the space shuttle and various space 
launch systems.
  The current president, James Legler, joined the company in 1978. 
Through his leadership, Chem-tronics, Inc. has continued to grow as an 
aerospace industry leader in technology, quality products, and 
commitment to customer satisfaction. My fellow colleagues, Chem-
tronics, Inc. represents the small-business spirit that made America 
great. Join me in congratulating this company for their success in 
creating jobs, providing critical services and products to our 
country's national security, and making the San Diego community proud 
for 50 years.

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