________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“ D-J Engineering doesn’ t shy away from a challenge, whether it’ s size, materials, new space parts, or obsolete parts. We’ re experts with challenging materials like titanium, Inconel, and advanced aluminum-copperlithium alloys like Airware 2050. That makes us a prime manufacturer for the space industry,” he points out.
As commercial and government investment in space grows, Chris sees a natural fit between the sector’ s needs and D-J Engineering’ s operating model.“ Because of our flexibility, the low quantities needed for space, and our industry expertise, we’ re perfectly positioned to grow. One of our biggest advantages is producing large-format parts. We keep expanding these capabilities to stay ahead as the industry evolves and gets more competitive.” Supporting that growth means building capabilities and keeping the workforce engaged. Located in one of the country’ s aerospace hubs, D-J Engineering competes for talent while investing in its people. Chris credits the company’ s culture as a big reason people stay.“ Our CEO takes a multi-pronged approach, hiring experienced talent and developing people from within. D-J Engineering feels like family. Many of our employees have been here for decades and have no intention of leaving.”
When Chris looks at aerospace manufacturing today, he sees some of the same challenges and opportunities. Just as the company saw a need for extrusion decades ago, he believes another is emerging.“ In 1996, there were few, if any, extrusion capabilities in aerospace. D-J Engineering filled that gap by building an extrusion plant in Conway Springs, Kansas. Right now, the aerospace industry has a shortage of casting facilities. D-J Engineering is in the early planning stages for a casting facility in Kansas.”
190