New opportunities are coming to Hawkesbury after the announcement by Tulmar Safety Systems that it has purchased the product lines and technologies of Icarus Training Systems of the United Kingdom.
The acquisition of the UK company will allow Tulmar to expand its aviation training slides product line. Icarus manufactures similar products and was a competitor of Hawkesbury-based Tulmar in the commercial aviation industry.
“We are excited to have added the world class Icarus products to our line of aviation training solutions” said Barney Bangs, Chief Executive Officer of Tulmar Safety Systems.
This expansion represents a great contribution to Tulmar’s global presence in the world of cabin crew training equipment said Tulmar’s President and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Tallon, noting the products currently produced by Icarus will be transferred to the company’s Hawkesbury manufacturing plant.
“The manufacturing will take place in our Hawkesbury facility,” Tallon explained. “We’re looking to hire more technicians to run the equipment that’s used to weld these very specific products.”
“We have a group of people who do the job now and we are looking to hire more. This absolutely creates new roles for us, because we need to increase our capabilities in that work area.”
Anyone wishing to apply for a position at Tulmar can visit the company’s Careers page at https://www.tulmar.com/careers-join-expert-team/ .
In addition to the products and technologies of Icarus, Tulmar announced that Icarus’ Managing Director, Stuart Haycock will be joining the leadership team of Tulmar.
Both Icarus and Tulmar have a culture rooted in customer service and therefore Icarus customers can expect a fluid transition, Tallon said. Specific updates will be provided to customers as the transition occurs.
Tulmar Safety Systems Inc. is a fully integrated designer and manufacturer of engineered protective equipment and survivability solutions for the aerospace and defence markets worldwide. The company’s products range from highly specialized protection equipment for military vehicles, to inflatable life support and flotation products for military and aerospace applications. Tulmar’s safety equipment is sold to airlines around the world and the company’s products are supported through a fully certified repair and overhaul division.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the past year a difficult one for the airline industry, which has hit sales hard at many companies which supply safety equipment for the airlines. Tulmar’s work for Canada’s military has helped it weather the storm.
“A little less than half our business was airline and most of that disappeared,” Tallon said. “We’re fortunate that we still have the Canadian Forces and General Dynamics and other very good clients that we have continued to serve.”
“The natural diversification between military and civil aviation has helped us weather the pandemic.”
Tulmar’s President and COO said the company is excited to be bringing new products to the Hawkesbury facility, as it prepares for a return to regular business by commercial airlines throughout the world.
“You either hear of businesses leaving, or you hear of businesses offshoring work. In this case we are bringing work from Europe into Canada, which we are really proud of,” Tallon said.
