Operator Newsletter

Chromalloy joins Rolls-Royce to become Organizing Partner of Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing

Chromalloy has partnered with Rolls-Royce North America and Virginia's leading universities to develop the new Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) near Richmond, Va. "Chromalloy is on the leading edge with Rolls-Royce on the development of a unique collaborative research facility that will accelerate the transfer of laboratory innovations to manufacturing production lines," said Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., President.

For 60 years Chromalloy's commitment to advanced engine technologies has guided the company's product development and growth. "That vision continues with CCAM, which will play a significant role in propulsion system advancement and innovation," Lauzon said.

Chromalloy accepted the invitation of Rolls-Royce to become an Organizing Industry Member of CCAM. The center is a public/private partnership between Rolls-Royce, the Organizing Industry Member companies and Virginia's leading public research facilities - the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.

Generic research will be supported by the center's industry operations board. Chromalloy and the other CCAM members will utilize the results of the generic research for their own technical developments.

Construction of the 50,000-square-foot facility will be on 20 acres adjacent to the site of the new Rolls-Royce jet engine manufacturing facility now under development. CCAM will be completed in 2012 and will house computational and large-scale production labs, as well as open production space for heavy equipment and surface coating processes.

Peter Howard, Chromalloy Vice President, Technology & Quality Assurance, said, "What's great about CCAM is the coming together of manufacturing leaders from around the world to approach shared manufacturing problems with different business and operational perspectives. Working together with university research teams, we anticipate the collaboration at CCAM will generate new ideas and solutions that advance business and manufacturing principles."

Chromalloy's continued investments in research and development of coating, repair and manufacturing technology has led to the development of a number of innovations, including electron beam physical vapor deposition with ceramic materials, vacuum plasma, diffused precious metal/aluminide coatings and vision-guided interactive laser welding and drilling for most advanced turbine engine components, as well as other technologies.

Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein addresses Chromalloy senior leadership

David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms, shared his views about the economy and business strategy during a recent Chromalloy leadership meeting in Tampa. Rubenstein joined Chromalloy President Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., on stage for an hour-long question and answer session in front of more than 100 top Chromalloy leaders.

Rubenstein, who formed The Carlyle Group in 1987 with his partners in Washington, D.C., is Chairman of the Board of the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, and on the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City and other cultural organizations. He is also a Trustee of Duke University and the University of Chicago, and a member of economic and policy councils and forums.

Chromalloy is a subsidiary of Sequa Corporation, a Carlyle Group company.

Chromalloy appoints Dennis Orzel to lead key operations

Chromalloy has appointed aerospace industry veteran Dennis Orzel its new Vice President and General Manager to lead key Chromalloy technology development and repair sites in the United States and United Kingdom. "Dennis has been at the forefront of gas turbine engine component design, manufacturing and repairs, and his business expertise will be instrumental as we continue to expand Chromalloy's capabilities," said Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., President.

"As a Lean expert he has extensive experience in supply chain and material management," Lauzon said. Orzel's responsibilities include the company's advanced coating development and manufacturing facilities in Orangeburg, N.Y., Middletown, N.Y., and Nottingham, U.K. Those facilities serve others in the company's global turbine engine services network of development and repair centers.

Prior to his appointment Orzel was Chief Operating Officer at PAS Technologies, an applications specialist for manufactured components. His responsibilities included management of the business's seven operations across three countries and four market sectors. Previously he was President of the Triumph Integrated Programs Division, responsible for running all aspects of the business including program management, engineering, manufacturing and procurement.

He earlier was General Manager of Pratt & Whitney's Turbine Module Center in East Hartford, Conn., a design and manufacturing center for precision turbine components. To effectively manage inventory and production, Orzel established the center's Lean manufacturing environment, including a complete cellular operational layout. Orzel's leadership roles at Pratt & Whitney during his 20-plus years also included managing the North Haven, Conn., Turbine Airfoil Operation as well as other management assignments.