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| {{Short description|American manufacturer of military equipment}} | |||
| {{distinguish|Gentex}} | |||
| {{Distinguish|Gentex (automotive manufacturer)}} | |||
| {{Primary |
{{Primary sources|date=July 2016}} | ||
| {{Infobox company | {{Infobox company | ||
| | name |
| name = Gentex | ||
| | logo |
| logo = Gentex Corporation logo.png | ||
| ⚫ | | former_name = Klots Throwing Company,<br> General Textile Mills | ||
| | caption = | |||
| | foundation = {{Start date|1894}} in ] | |||
| | type = | |||
| ⚫ | | website = https://www.gentexcorp.com/ | ||
| | traded_as = | |||
| | genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies --> | |||
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| ⚫ | | former_name |
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| | foundation = 1894 in ], ]<!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | |||
| | founder = | |||
| | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | |||
| | location_city = Simpson, Pennsylvania | |||
| | location_country = ] | |||
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| | industry = | |||
| | products = | |||
| | services = | |||
| | revenue = | |||
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| | aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies --> | |||
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| }} | }} | ||
| '''Gentex''' is a privately held company that focuses on the manufacture of |
'''Gentex Corporation''' is a privately held company that focuses on the manufacture of United States and international ], ], commercial, ], emergency medical services and first responder personal protective equipment products,<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 February 1976|title=Vo-tech honors Ethyl, Gentex corporations|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/639355408/|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=The Miner news (Carbondale, Pennsylvania)|page=2|language=en}}</ref> as well as aluminized fabrics, Lifetex fabrics, Clearweld, Filtron, and Precision Polymer Processors. | ||
| The company was founded in 1894 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, initially as a silk manufacturer. Over the years, it evolved into a specialized manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) and communication systems. | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| ⚫ | The Gentex Corporation began operation as the Klots Throwing Company in ], ] in the late 19th century. |
||
| === Klots Throwing Company, 1894–1931 === | |||
| During ], Klots manufactured silk cartridge bags under the direction of President Frieder. However, Rayon was introduced as an alternative to silk in the 1920s, and by the beginning of the Great Depression, the company was forced into bankruptcy. | |||
| ⚫ | The Gentex Corporation began operation as the Klots Throwing Company in ] in the late 19th century. Initially located in ], the ] plant owned by Henry Durrell Klots burned down in 1894. After the fire, Marcus Frieder, bookkeeper for Klots, suggested building in Carbondale to use the untapped workforce of wives and daughters of local coal miners. Henry Klots agreed and named Frieder manager of the new plant and eventually, secretary and general manager of the company. Frieder became president upon the death of Henry Klots in 1914. During ], Klots manufactured silk cartridge bags under the direction of President Frieder. However, Rayon was introduced as an alternative to silk in the 1920s, and by the beginning of the Great Depression, the company was forced into bankruptcy. | ||
| === General Textile Mills, 1932–1957 === | |||
| In 1932, Marcus and his son Leonard bought and reorganized Klots, renaming it General Textile Mills. |
In 1932, Marcus and his son Leonard bought and reorganized Klots, renaming it the General Textile Mills. The Frieders built and purchased several more throwing mills in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, making it one of the largest organizations in the silk industry. The ] at ] was listed on the ] in 2010.<ref name="nris">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20100205.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places|date=2010-02-05|work=WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 1/25/10 THROUGH 1/29/10|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> The mill at ] operated from 1907 to 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sia-web.org/sian/images/sianv36/sianv363.pdf |title=Society for Industrial Architecture Newsletter |date=2010-06-05 |work=Summer 2007, Volume 36, Number 3 |publisher=Society for Industrial Architecture |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609151939/http://www.sia-web.org/sian/images/sianv36/sianv363.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-09 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2011|title=Lonaconing Silk Mill|url=https://abandonedonline.net/location/lonaconing-silk-mill/|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Abandoned|language=en-US}}</ref> By the time Marcus died in 1940 and Leonard assumed the Presidency, the company's ability to weave quality textiles had led to the creation of entirely new and more sophisticated technologies for use in alternative applications. | ||
| Upon the entry of the United States into ], the company began manufacturing parachutes for the U.S. |
Upon the entry of the United States into ], the company began manufacturing parachutes for the U.S. military. Eventually, it became one of the largest manufacturers of parachutes in the country, producing parachutes for cargo and carrier pigeons, as well as a special aluminized option that could reflect radar. In August 1945, ] was awarded the ] for excellence in wartime production. | ||
| During that same period, General Textile Mills began manufacturing its own composite-structure parachute boxes from fiberglass mat impregnated with a polyester resin that would protect packaged parachutes. Following the war, the government approached General Textile Mills to determine the feasibility of using the same composite-structure to manufacture pilot helmets. Due to the advancements in aircraft technology, improved protective headgear was warranted to replace the cloth or leather options used prior to 1948. | During that same period, General Textile Mills began manufacturing its own composite-structure parachute boxes from fiberglass mat impregnated with a polyester resin that would protect packaged parachutes. Following the war, the government approached General Textile Mills to determine the feasibility of using the same composite-structure to manufacture pilot helmets. Due to the advancements in aircraft technology, improved protective headgear was warranted to replace the cloth or leather options used prior to 1948. | ||
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| General Textile Mills produced its first hard shell helmet using the parachute box technology that same year. The helmet, known as the H-1, was made for the ] and the P-1 soon followed for the ]. These technologies were quickly incorporated into helicopter pilot helmets for both military and commercial applications, as well as tank crew helmets. | General Textile Mills produced its first hard shell helmet using the parachute box technology that same year. The helmet, known as the H-1, was made for the ] and the P-1 soon followed for the ]. These technologies were quickly incorporated into helicopter pilot helmets for both military and commercial applications, as well as tank crew helmets. | ||
| === Gentex, 1958–present === | |||
| In 1958, General Textile Mills shortened its name to Gentex. The company continued working to improve and adapt the helmet technology. | In 1958, General Textile Mills shortened its name to Gentex. The company continued working to improve and adapt the helmet technology. | ||
| Significant advancements in the aircraft industry resulted in the need for oxygen-breathing equipment for life support. In 1969, the Frieders bought Protection, Inc., a helmet manufacturer in ], ]. Ten years later, Protection Inc. began to acquire equipment in order to manufacture respiratory products. By 1981, the new branch officially transitioned into Gentex Western Operations focusing on the manufacture of respiratory products. The California operation moved to ] in 1992. | Significant advancements in the aircraft industry resulted in the need for oxygen-breathing equipment for life support. In 1969, the Frieders bought Protection, Inc., a helmet manufacturer in ]. Ten years later, Protection Inc. began to acquire equipment in order to manufacture respiratory products. By 1981, the new branch officially transitioned into Gentex Western Operations focusing on the manufacture of respiratory products. The California operation moved to ] in 1992. | ||
| In 1972, the company lost their leader of more than 30 years when Leonard P. Frieder |
In 1972, the company lost their leader of more than 30 years when Leonard P. Frieder Sr. died, leaving his son L. Peter Frieder Jr. to assume the presidency. | ||
| Under the direction of the younger Frieder, the company began addressing the need for low-noise, high clarity communications systems for helmets. Gentex bought the ], ] based JMR Systems Corporation in 1977. As a result of this acquisition, Gentex was able to expand its capabilities to include the manufacture of electro-acoustic products. The New Hampshire operation moved to ] in 2006. | Under the direction of the younger Frieder, the company began addressing the need for low-noise, high clarity communications systems for helmets. Gentex bought the ] based JMR Systems Corporation in 1977. As a result of this acquisition, Gentex was able to expand its capabilities to include the manufacture of electro-acoustic products. The New Hampshire operation moved to ] in 2006. | ||
| The creation of the respiratory and electro-acoustic products business units, along with the existing helmet systems division and a group dedicated to the advancement of materials, resulted in the company's ability to produce totally integrated systems for tactical applications. The first production of Gentex ballistic helmet PASGT began during ] in 1983 and replaced the Vietnam era M1 steel helmet. | The creation of the respiratory and electro-acoustic products business units, along with the existing helmet systems division and a group dedicated to the advancement of materials, resulted in the company's ability to produce totally integrated systems for tactical applications. The first production of Gentex ballistic helmet PASGT began during ] in 1983 and replaced the Vietnam era M1 steel helmet. By 1987, Gentex was made SPH-4 aviation helmets for the United States Army, which eventually became an industry standard globally.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 May 1987|title=Gentex given Army contract|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/531384610/|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=The Tribune|page=8|language=en}}</ref> | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| In 2005 Gentex opened a new R&D facility located in ]. The Visionix business unit specializes in development of helmet mounted information display systems. Gentex Visionix, in partnership with ], is under contract to supply the Gentex-developed Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System to the U.S. Air Force. | In 2005 Gentex opened a new R&D facility located in ]. The Visionix business unit specializes in development of helmet mounted information display systems. Gentex Visionix, in partnership with ], is under contract to supply the Gentex-developed Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System to the U.S. Air Force. | ||
| In 2011, it acquired Ops-Core, creator of the ], and ], which specialized in helmet-mounted displays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2011/11/gentex-boosts-expertise.html|title=Gentex boosts expertise in motion- and head-tracking technology with acquisition of InterSense|website=www.militaryaerospace.com|access-date=2018-09-30|date=2011-11-27}}</ref> In 2014, Gentex Europe acquired Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd in ], ], UK, a manufacturer of military pilot and emergency services helmets. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Scope of work== | ||
| ⚫ | Gentex Corporation works closely with international distributors |
||
| == About == | |||
| ⚫ | ===Scope of work=== | ||
| ⚫ | Gentex Corporation works closely with international distributors to provide products to international armed forces, and U.S. commercial distributors. Additionally, the company is called upon for specialized projects that require customization of personal protective products for ] programs, such as the early Space Shuttle missions, and commercial projects, such as ]'s ] and ] repeated launch as part of the race for the ]. | ||
| The company holds active industry memberships in such organizations the U.S. Navy League; SAFE Association; National Defense Industrial Manufacturers Association; and ] (SETP), which features such distinguished members as ], ] and ], and where Gentex presents the annual ]. | The company holds active industry memberships in such organizations the U.S. Navy League; SAFE Association; National Defense Industrial Manufacturers Association; and ] (SETP), which features such distinguished members as ], ] and ], and where Gentex presents the annual ]. | ||
| Line 75: | Line 53: | ||
| The corporation is also past recipient awards from the ] (DLA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) Innovation Award, Harrisburg and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. | The corporation is also past recipient awards from the ] (DLA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) Innovation Award, Harrisburg and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. | ||
| ==Community involvement== | ===Community involvement=== | ||
| Gentex is also a member of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, ], Pennsylvania; Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale, Pennsylvania; Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, New Hampshire; Greater Derry Chamber of Commerce, Derry, New Hampshire; Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, Rancho Cucamonga, California. | Gentex is also a member of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, ], Pennsylvania; Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale, Pennsylvania; Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, New Hampshire; Greater Derry Chamber of Commerce, Derry, New Hampshire; Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, Rancho Cucamonga, California. | ||
| The workforce of approximately |
The workforce of approximately 1000 employees, also is focused on the support of local, regional and national community organizations and programs. Gentex Corporation annually recognizes and supports the exceptional work of the charities and non-profit organizations prevalent in the communities where its employees live, work and play. Support includes volunteer efforts by employees and in-kind and monetary contributions. The American Red Cross, United Way, YMCA, Pennsylvania Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House of Scranton and Pennsylvania's Adopt-A-Highway Program are just a few of the organizations which continually benefit. | ||
| ==Subsidiaries== | ==Subsidiaries== | ||
| * |
*Ops-Core Inc. (acquired January 11, 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 11, 2012|title=Gentex Corporation acquires Ops-Core, Inc.Together Companies to Meet Needs of Modern War Fighters|url=http://www.ops-core.com/Ops-Core_Gentex_Acquisition.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061746/http://www.ops-core.com/Ops-Core_Gentex_Acquisition.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|access-date=2015-11-05|website=Ops-Core, Inc.}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=March 2021}} | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{ |
{{Reflist}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:56, 15 May 2024
American manufacturer of military equipment Not to be confused with Gentex (automotive manufacturer). | This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Gentex" military contractor – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | |
| Formerly | Klots Throwing Company, General Textile Mills |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1894 (1894) in Carbondale, Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | United States  |
| Website | https://www.gentexcorp.com/ |
Gentex Corporation is a privately held company that focuses on the manufacture of United States and international military, special forces, commercial, law enforcement, emergency medical services and first responder personal protective equipment products, as well as aluminized fabrics, Lifetex fabrics, Clearweld, Filtron, and Precision Polymer Processors.
The company was founded in 1894 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, initially as a silk manufacturer. Over the years, it evolved into a specialized manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) and communication systems.
History
Klots Throwing Company, 1894–1931
The Gentex Corporation began operation as the Klots Throwing Company in Carbondale, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Initially located in New York, the silk throwing plant owned by Henry Durrell Klots burned down in 1894. After the fire, Marcus Frieder, bookkeeper for Klots, suggested building in Carbondale to use the untapped workforce of wives and daughters of local coal miners. Henry Klots agreed and named Frieder manager of the new plant and eventually, secretary and general manager of the company. Frieder became president upon the death of Henry Klots in 1914. During World War I, Klots manufactured silk cartridge bags under the direction of President Frieder. However, Rayon was introduced as an alternative to silk in the 1920s, and by the beginning of the Great Depression, the company was forced into bankruptcy.
General Textile Mills, 1932–1957
In 1932, Marcus and his son Leonard bought and reorganized Klots, renaming it the General Textile Mills. The Frieders built and purchased several more throwing mills in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, making it one of the largest organizations in the silk industry. The Klots Throwing Company Mill at Cumberland, Maryland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The mill at Lonaconing, Maryland operated from 1907 to 1957. By the time Marcus died in 1940 and Leonard assumed the Presidency, the company's ability to weave quality textiles had led to the creation of entirely new and more sophisticated technologies for use in alternative applications.
Upon the entry of the United States into World War II, the company began manufacturing parachutes for the U.S. military. Eventually, it became one of the largest manufacturers of parachutes in the country, producing parachutes for cargo and carrier pigeons, as well as a special aluminized option that could reflect radar. In August 1945, General Textile Mills was awarded the Army-Navy 'E' Award for excellence in wartime production.
During that same period, General Textile Mills began manufacturing its own composite-structure parachute boxes from fiberglass mat impregnated with a polyester resin that would protect packaged parachutes. Following the war, the government approached General Textile Mills to determine the feasibility of using the same composite-structure to manufacture pilot helmets. Due to the advancements in aircraft technology, improved protective headgear was warranted to replace the cloth or leather options used prior to 1948.
General Textile Mills produced its first hard shell helmet using the parachute box technology that same year. The helmet, known as the H-1, was made for the U.S. Navy and the P-1 soon followed for the U.S. Air Force. These technologies were quickly incorporated into helicopter pilot helmets for both military and commercial applications, as well as tank crew helmets.
Gentex, 1958–present
In 1958, General Textile Mills shortened its name to Gentex. The company continued working to improve and adapt the helmet technology.
Significant advancements in the aircraft industry resulted in the need for oxygen-breathing equipment for life support. In 1969, the Frieders bought Protection, Inc., a helmet manufacturer in Pomona, California. Ten years later, Protection Inc. began to acquire equipment in order to manufacture respiratory products. By 1981, the new branch officially transitioned into Gentex Western Operations focusing on the manufacture of respiratory products. The California operation moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 1992.
In 1972, the company lost their leader of more than 30 years when Leonard P. Frieder Sr. died, leaving his son L. Peter Frieder Jr. to assume the presidency.
Under the direction of the younger Frieder, the company began addressing the need for low-noise, high clarity communications systems for helmets. Gentex bought the Derry, New Hampshire based JMR Systems Corporation in 1977. As a result of this acquisition, Gentex was able to expand its capabilities to include the manufacture of electro-acoustic products. The New Hampshire operation moved to Manchester in 2006.
The creation of the respiratory and electro-acoustic products business units, along with the existing helmet systems division and a group dedicated to the advancement of materials, resulted in the company's ability to produce totally integrated systems for tactical applications. The first production of Gentex ballistic helmet PASGT began during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983 and replaced the Vietnam era M1 steel helmet. By 1987, Gentex was made SPH-4 aviation helmets for the United States Army, which eventually became an industry standard globally.
In 2005 Gentex opened a new R&D facility located in Aurora, Illinois. The Visionix business unit specializes in development of helmet mounted information display systems. Gentex Visionix, in partnership with Raytheon Technical Services, is under contract to supply the Gentex-developed Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System to the U.S. Air Force.
In 2011, it acquired Ops-Core, creator of the Future Assault Shell Technology helmet, and InterSense, which specialized in helmet-mounted displays. In 2014, Gentex Europe acquired Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd in Stranraer, Scotland, UK, a manufacturer of military pilot and emergency services helmets.
About
Scope of work
Gentex Corporation works closely with international distributors to provide products to international armed forces, and U.S. commercial distributors. Additionally, the company is called upon for specialized projects that require customization of personal protective products for NASA programs, such as the early Space Shuttle missions, and commercial projects, such as Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites and SpaceShipOne repeated launch as part of the race for the Ansari X Prize.
The company holds active industry memberships in such organizations the U.S. Navy League; SAFE Association; National Defense Industrial Manufacturers Association; and Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), which features such distinguished members as Buzz Aldrin, John Glenn and Wally Schirra, and where Gentex presents the annual Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award.
The corporation is also past recipient awards from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) Innovation Award, Harrisburg and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Community involvement
Gentex is also a member of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Scranton, Pennsylvania; Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale, Pennsylvania; Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, New Hampshire; Greater Derry Chamber of Commerce, Derry, New Hampshire; Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The workforce of approximately 1000 employees, also is focused on the support of local, regional and national community organizations and programs. Gentex Corporation annually recognizes and supports the exceptional work of the charities and non-profit organizations prevalent in the communities where its employees live, work and play. Support includes volunteer efforts by employees and in-kind and monetary contributions. The American Red Cross, United Way, YMCA, Pennsylvania Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House of Scranton and Pennsylvania's Adopt-A-Highway Program are just a few of the organizations which continually benefit.
Subsidiaries
- Ops-Core Inc. (acquired January 11, 2012)
References
- "Vo-tech honors Ethyl, Gentex corporations". Newspapers.com. The Miner news (Carbondale, Pennsylvania). 16 February 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
- "National Register of Historic Places". WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 1/25/10 THROUGH 1/29/10. National Park Service. 2010-02-05.
- "Society for Industrial Architecture Newsletter" (PDF). Summer 2007, Volume 36, Number 3. Society for Industrial Architecture. 2010-06-05. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-09.
- "Lonaconing Silk Mill". Abandoned. 2011. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
- "Gentex given Army contract". Newspapers.com. The Tribune. 21 May 1987. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
- "Gentex boosts expertise in motion- and head-tracking technology with acquisition of InterSense". www.militaryaerospace.com. 2011-11-27. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
- "Gentex Corporation acquires Ops-Core, Inc.Together Companies to Meet Needs of Modern War Fighters" (PDF). Ops-Core, Inc. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-11-05.