State and local officials along with area business leaders gathered at the headquarters of aerospace firm, Fairchild Controls Corporation, on Oct. 2 to celebrate its 20 years of operations and community support in Frederick, Maryland. The anniversary celebration was held at the company’s Highland Street facility, adjacent to the Frederick Regional Airport, and drew nearly 200 attendees.
In attendance were U.S. House Representative John Delaney (D-MD-06), representatives from the office of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD-Sr.), Frederick mayor, Randy McClements, and Frederick County Commission president, Blaine Young.
Congressman Delaney captured the essence of the celebration with his comments recognizing Fairchild Controls as an economic anchor in the community and a world-class supplier of aerospace products. He went on to praise the company for providing well-paying jobs locally, and helping to strengthen the community through vigorous support of local philanthropic organizations.
On behalf of Senator Mikulski, staffer Julianna Albowicz presented Fairchild Controls president Peter Borgel with a certificate recognizing the company’s global market performance and commitment to the local economy.
Mayor McClements, in presenting an award of appreciation from the City of Frederick, spoke of his own professional interactions with Fairchild Controls years earlier, when, as owner of a bagel business, he used to deliver bagels to the facility. “This award is presented in honor of your efforts in providing job opportunities for the local workforce, upholding environmentally conscious beliefs and philanthropic efforts,“ he said.
In addressing the crowd, Borgel was quick to remind attendees that the company’s growth and success is a testament to the commitment and strong work ethic of its personnel – traits that made the Frederick area the ideal choice when the company relocated from its Manhattan Beach, California birthplace in 1994.
“Twenty-nine of the original sixty-four employees at this site are still with us today – that’s almost half of the original population. It is your experience and your dedication that has sustained the company over the past two decades, “Borgel said.
A Tradition of Innovation and Excellence
Fairchild Controls has a rich history that traces back to the early days of American aviation, when industry pioneer and company founder, Sherman Fairchild, developed aircraft and flight controls for use in aerial mapping and photography in 1920.
That tradition of innovation continues today in commercial and military aviation markets as the company develops products and services that allow aircraft to operate safely, help passengers travel comfortably, and enable Allied warfighters to defend security and protect freedoms around the world.
Fairchild Controls has grown steadily over the years since relocating to Frederick with only a few dozen employees. Today, the firm has 150 employees – 16 percent of them military veterans – and is well-recognized for excellence in providing a range of avionics and flight control systems. Earlier this year the company was recognized as the Boeing Company’s 2013 Supplier of the Year in the Electrical/Hydraulic/Mechanical category, highlighting its record of 100% on-time delivery and a quality rating of 99.9% or better.
Only one-tenth of one percent of all Boeing suppliers worldwide – just 12 of approximately 12,000 - achieve this distinction, each in an individual category.
A partner to the Frederick community
This commitment to meeting the needs of its customers is similarly reflected in the company’s commitment to helping meet the needs of the local community. Fairchild Controls employees have volunteered countless hours of service over the years and have donated more than $500,000 to various local organizations, including the United Way, Frederick 48, the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, the American Red Cross, and others.