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Switlik announces sales department personnel changes

by on 31. Jan, 2012 in Press Releases

January 31, 2012 (Trenton, NJ) Switlik Parachute Company is pleased to welcome Mr. Anthony Florio as the newest member of its Sales Department, effective January 30, 2012. Mr. Florio brings 13 years of experience in selling lifesaving equipment components in all the same markets that Switlik currently serves (Military, Aviation and Marine). Switlik also announces the retirement of long time Aviation Sales Manager, Ms. Kathleen Kalinowski, after 28 years of distinguished service to the company. Ms. Kalinowski helped transform Switlik from largely a military products manufacturer to a diversified worldwide competitor in the aviation, marine and military markets.

Ed Vienckowski, VP of Sales and Marketing for Switlik, had this to say upon making the announcement: “We are thrilled to add someone the caliber of Anthony Florio to our Sales team. Anthony brings a wealth of experience in all our current markets, and is well familiar with our customer base, having served many of these same customers throughout his career. At the same time, the departure of Kathleen Kalinowski is bittersweet. We certainly wish Kathleen all the best in her new pursuits, and thank her for all her contributions to Switlik’s past success. Kathleen will be sorely missed, but rest assured our Sales team of Andrew Goetting, Marie Gowen and Anthony Florio, along Michael Dilts and myself will ensure the same level of customer service that all have come to expect from Switlik.”

Please use the following as your initial points of contact for Sales Inquiries:
Military/Government Sales: Michael Dilts, mdilts@switlik.com
Commercial Aviation Sales: Marie Gowen, mgowen@switlik.com
Helicopter Products and General Aviation Sales: Andrew Goetting, agoetting@switlik.com
Marine Products Sales: Andrew Goetting, agoetting@switlik.com

General Inquiries: info@switlik.com
Purchase Order Submittals: sales@switlik.com
VP Sales and Marketing: Ed Vienckowski, evienckowski@switlik.com 

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The Weather Channel’s: Coast Guard Alaska gives the Switlik U-ZIP-IT a starring role

by on 25. Jan, 2012 in Aviation

The Weather Channel has been running a series that features the Coast Guard Air Station located on Kodiak Island, Alaska.  It highlights an elite team that risks their lives in search and rescue missions in the treacherous waters off Alaska.  The seven part series, Coast Guard Alaska, takes you into the family lives and onboard the missions of the heroes of the United States Coast Guard.  This show is of keen interest to the Switlik Survival Products team from Trenton, NJ, makers of the orange anti-exposure “dry” suits that help protect the USCG flight crews that wear them on every mission aloft.
Switlik has been a leading manufacturer of anti-exposure suits for the military and aviation sectors since 1984. The Switlik designed U-Zip-It™ Aircrew Anti Exposure Garment (AEG) was chosen by the United States Coast Guard for their flight and tactical personnel as their exclusive use, cold water immersion, aircrew flight suit.

To get a glimpse of the Weather Channel’s Coast Guard Alaska series: http://www.weather.com/tv/tvshows/coast-guard-alaska.

To learn more about the U-ZIP-IT Anti Exposure Dry Suit worn by the rescue team visit:
http://switlik.com/aviation/uzipit.

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A Mariner’s Most Dreaded Phrase, “Man Overboard”: Marine Safety training from the experts

by on 10. Jan, 2012 in Marine

By: Teresa O’Connor, Life Raft Survival Equipment, Inc.   teresa@LRSE.com

The new Switlik MOM 600 is ideal for quick man overboard rescue.

All possible efforts and actions should constantly be made to ensure that this nightmare never occurs. Unfortunately Man overboard situations happen every year with devastating results. As the crew overboard, your primary concern is to stay alive long enough for the vessel to return to your position to make a successful recovery.

Should you ever find yourself in the water from a man overboard situation, your largest concerns are to stay afloat, stay warm, stay calm, stay still and stay together – the ‘Stay Rules’.  If you don’t have a lifejacket on, then you have a challenge of staying afloat. If you don’t have on the proper clothing and you stay in the water, hypothermia is a threat. If you don’t have a raft then staying together is a problem. If you panic you’re bound to move around and release body heat from your high heat areas not to mention all the other acts that will hurt your rescue.

Dan from LRSE trains crews for safety and man overboard situations on boats like the RAMBLER 100, and the Gunboat Phaedo for transatlantic sailing races.

Unfortunately not too many mariners have had the opportunity to practice man overboard drills like cold water survival, the ‘Stay Rules’, and boarding life rafts from the water which is why we began hands on training classes 6 years ago. One section of our training takes place in a heated indoor pool with clear calm water. Yet the crippling effect of mild hypothermia, despite layered clothing and lifejackets, surprises all our participants. They find their movements slowed, their breath change and everything seems difficult. We have to pull participants out of the water at the end of the class.  They feel the effects of what we teach them, conduction in water is 25% greater than in the air. Once our participants are warmed up and recovered, they all want to know how to improve their own crew overboard gear now that they have the training.

Equipment for crew overboard or loss of vessel in coastal water must be pragmatic. It must be lightweight and small, it must be intuitive to use, it must be easily accessible, it must have some type of signaling device, and every crewmember onboard must understand its application and why it is used. A small inflatable platform like Switlik’s new MOM 600 or the rail mounted, quick deployed MOM 8 fits this criteria quite well and gives the victim the ability to climb back onboard or utilize the lifting straps should crew need to be pulled out of the water. Having the right tools will get crew to stay afloat, stay warm, stay still and stay together, now it’s just up to a vessel owner to have the training to keep the crew calm.

For information on LRSE crew training or any of the Switlik Man Overboard Modules visit:  LRSE.com or Switlik.com/marine/manoverboard

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Switlik SAR-6 Offshore Life Raft aides in the Rescue of two 11 year old boys in Sydney, Australia

by on 08. Jan, 2012 in Marine

Their boat sank within one minute in relatively calm seas, about 10km off North Head, shortly after 8am (AEDT) on Thursday. Riley Smiles and Ryan Matthews, both 11, were asleep on swags on the boat’s flybridge when Riley’s father Scott noticed black smoke coming out of the exhaust about three hours after they had left Botany Bay on a fishing trip.
Mr. Smiles made sure everyone had a lifejacket as water filled the engine bay, grabbing an emergency beacon and an esky before they jumped into the water. The EPIRB beacon was activated at 8.30am (AEDT) and they were found by a Westpac Rescue Helicopter 45 minutes later, five nautical miles (9.2km) from North Head.
All four were rescued when the helicopter dropped a Switlik SAR-6 life raft into the water, before a water launch arrived a short time later. Rescue helicopter chief executive Steve Leahy said the boat had sunk very quickly, leaving no signs of debris.

The Switlik SAR-6 is our military grade air-droppable blue water offshore life raft, and is the raft of choice of professional search and rescue teams around the world. We’re so happy that a Switlik was able to help save the lives of the two young boys.

Read more about the story: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8398728
Learn more about the Switlik SAR-6: http://www.switlik.com/marine/sar6/

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Switlik hosts visit by acting New Jersey Governor Guadagno

by on 16. Nov, 2011 in Events

November 16, 2011 (Trenton, NJ): Switlik Parachute Co. was pleased to host a visit by New Jersey’s Acting Governor Kim Guadagno to its Trenton, NJ headquarters and manufacturing facility yesterday. This visit was the final stop in the Acting Governor’s nine month long “100 Businesses Initiative”, where she travelled to all areas of the state to meet directly with a variety of companies that help fuel New Jersey’s diverse economy. The visit offered Switlik the opportunity to demonstrate to the Acting Governor the breadth of work that is performed at the Trenton facility, by our highly skilled workforce, emphasizing our proud history of saving lives worldwide while providing jobs locally.

Acting Governor Guadagno first met privately with the Switlik Executive Management team in a productive exchange of ideas aimed at determining how New Jersey government can best support its existing businesses, to help them continue to compete in today’s world economy. The Acting Governor was then given a tour of the Switlik facility, led by company President Stanley Switlik. The tour culminated with remarks made by Mr. Switlik and Acting Governor Guadagno in front of the entire Switlik workforce, along with members of the press and invited guests.

Mr. Switlik later commented: “We were very pleased and honored to host this final stop of the Acting Governor’s 100 Businesses Initiative. It’s just very refreshing that someone is actually coming and asking us what we think. That is in stark contrast to previous administrations. It was a very good day, and we very much appreciated it.”

Refer also to http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552011/approved/20111115a.html for the Press Release from the Governor’s office on this visit.

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Switlik introduces two new Helicopter Life Vests to their line

by on 01. Aug, 2011 in Aviation, Press Releases, Product Announcements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 1, 2011 (Trenton, NJ): Switlik Parachute Co. is pleased to announce the addition of the Switlik Aviator and X-Back™ Air Crew vests to their line of FAA approved helicopter style aviation life vests. These new designs are distinguished by several innovative features, drawing on feedback from a broad spectrum of users. Helicopter vest wearers have clearly stated they want lightweight, low profile, durable vests that are comfortable to wear on long flights. The new Switlik Aviator and X-Back™ Air Crew vests deliver all this and more.

The Switlik Aviator Vest (Model EV-35) is a stylish new design that provides the most comfort ever offered in a constant wear life vest. Suitable for pilots, crew or passengers, the Aviator is ergonomically shaped to drape over the wearer’s shoulders, unlike traditional “yoke” style vests that hang from the neck, leading to discomfort and fatigue. Substantially lighter (1.3 lbs) than previous designs, the Aviator offers 35 lbs. of buoyancy in a single inflatable cell, with a unique three layer cell configuration, so that if the primary cell is compromised, a second cell is available providing another full 35 lbs. of buoyancy. So thin and comfortable, you may forget you’re wearing it!

The Switlik X-Back™ Air Crew Vest (Model HV-35X) is a newly configured, lightweight crew vest that is a quantum leap in comfort and durability over its predecessors. The aptly named X-BackTM has a unique, proprietary cross back strap configuration, with breathable mesh Molle style vest that is ergonomically fitted to one’s shoulder contours for an amazing fit. Accessories are located to the sides rather than midsection allowing more room for shoulder and lap belts, for added comfort when seated. As accessories are added, their weight is distributed on the shoulders and off the neck, greatly increasing comfort for the wearer. A variety of accessories are offered in Molle configuration, including a stylish new multi-compartment zippered pocket.

Both the Aviator and X-Back™ Air Crew vests have covers made from a durable Nomex®/Kevlar® woven fabric. The new fabric is softer than previous cover fabrics and highly fire resistant, far exceeding FAA requirements. The covers are fitted with breakaway zippers that contain and protect the vest cells, but easily open when inflation is actuated.

The Aviator and X-Back™ Air Crew vests will be available in mid-September. Look for them at your local aviation supply outlet or at www.switlik.com/aviation.

About Switlik: Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Switlik products are defined by Quality, Performance and Innovation. Every day, in all we do. All our products are proudly manufactured in Trenton, NJ USA, carrying the Switlik name on their labels for more than 90 years running.

For additional information, Email: info@switlik.com

Media Contact:
Edward V. Vienckowski
VP, Sales & Marketing
1-609-587-3300
evienckowski@switlik.com


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