Energetics are explosive or pyrotechnic devices that take a small input of mechanical or electrical energy and through a precisely controlled reaction make it, basically, more explosive. The amount of released energy and how that energy is used depends on the design of the device and its application. The inherent advantages of these devices include high power-to-weight ratio, compact size, low input energy requirements, and, as you might expect from something involving an explosion, extreme reliability.
The Energetics Strategic Business Unit is an outgrowth of EaglePicher Technlogies long-standing specialty battery business in support of major defense, space, aviation, and commercial programs. Eagle Picher qualifies as a certified small business that is the leading U.S. maker of thermal batteries. Founded as a mining and lead business in 1843, the company started making batteries in 1922. With manufacturing operations and research and development sites based in the Midwest and Northeast, EaglePicher Technologies supplies over 90 percent of the U.S. military’s munitions and mission critical systems.
Energetics Manufacturing Staff
“The Energetics unit supplies explosive and pyrotechnics devices to prime contractors, such as Lockheed Martin or Rockwell,” explains Jantzen Westfall, Director of Operations. “Although we do some commercial work, we primarily support defense programs.”
Explosive devices are used in artillery, mortar, cannon and bomb fuzing, and warhead detonation. Pyrotechnic devices are primarily used to initiate motion, ignite materials, pressurize a container, close or open a circuit, and generate gas, among other applications.
Typically, the prime contractor supplies the build specifications. “We’re essentially a kind of job shop,” Westfall says. “We primarily build to order though we can sometimes modify existing designs to meet customer requirements. The Energetics unit of EaglePicher provides defense customers with a single source of high quality, high volume devices custom built under quick lead times.”
Stefan Holt Marketing Director at MSIViking, notes, “Our Hexagon Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) delivers leading metrology solutions to EaglePicher Energetics as well as its many other business units that ensure the highest accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. These solutions encompass multi-sensor systems and high-speed scanning to provide unparalleled data quality and inspection issues. Working with Hexagon CMM, EaglePicher attains the highest level of quality control to achieve consistent results with minimal downtime.”
EaglePicher Technologies first got involved in researching pyrotechnic devices in 1984, eventually going into production of an igniter in 1995. By 2003, demand necessitated creation of a separate Energetic Business Unit to engage in numerous contracted ventures ranging from explosive leads, detonators, bellows, igniters, and burst assemblies to fully assembled lanyard start assemblies and bottle cutters. In June 1995, EaglePicher acquired a licensing agreement and exclusive production rights to a line of specialized explosive devices developed by ICI Americas.
As part of one of the two largest domestic battery suppliers, the Energetics unit is in a particularly good place to win competitive contractor bids. In addition to longstanding relationships with the major defense contractor customers, Westfall points out that EaglePicher qualifies as a certified small business, providing additional advantages qualifying for government contracts and tax treatment.
Also, there the many synergies with other business units within EaglePicher that create new business opportunities. “All the divisions are involved in working with one another to develop and supply product,” Westfall says.
Explosive Growth
Westfall notes that the Energetics unit expects business growth of 30 to 50 percent over the next three to four years. Which is why construction of a new 55,000 square foot facility is underway, representing a $30 million investment in that expected growth. The new manufacturing facility features state-of-the-art advancements in manufacturing technology with semi-automatic capabilities, as well as advanced software for data retrieval and tracking.
Thanks to the Missouri Works program, the company is eligible for certain capital withholdings or tax credits for job creation and may also receive assistance from Missouri One Start, a division of the Department of Economic Development, for assistance with its recruitment and training needs.
“We are currently based in Seneca, Missouri,” Westfall notes, “on the border of Oklahoma. The new facility is co-located with four other EaglePicher manufacturing and research and development sites in Joplin, about 20 minutes away. Joplin, Missouri has been the heart of EaglePicher since the company was founded. So, in addition to a new facility, we’ll be located in a bigger city that should help us draw more interest in getting people to fill new jobs.”
Energetics currently employs about 100, but expects that number to double in the next three to four years. “EaglePicher is a great employer,” Westfall says, “offering competitive pay, generous medical benefits, paid holidays and vacation, performance-sharing and tuition reimbursement. Plus, we’re working in a brand new climate-controlled environment that is a lot different from the perception of manufacturing as a hot, dirty workplace.”
He adds that, “An additional advantage with our move to Joplin is we can work with surrounding colleges to develop programs and recruit students interested in manufacturing careers. It’s going to help us develop a better prospect pool. We’re basically looking for people with a manufacturing background who we can train and who fit in with our culture. Our needs range from assembly workers to material scientists to robot programmers.”
American Made
As an American manufacturer, the Energetics unit emphasizes a local supply. “Of course, we’re always looking to diversify and expand our supply chain to ensure we can get what we need, when we need it, at the highest quality we require,” Westfall says. “To maintain products that meet the high quality we demand, any supplier providing parts, materials or services must maintain a quality system certified to ISO 9001.”
He adds that, “Our goal is to provide customers with the highest quality energetics solution from concept through final production for their applications. We are committed to continuous improvement, with the rigorous application of Six Sigma methodologies, as well as our ISO 9001:2009 and AS9100C certifications.”
The explosive organic growth of EaglePicher’s Energetics unit is fueled by brand name reputation, history of quality products and innovation. “We’re always looking to develop new opportunities that make sense for us, and make sense for our customers,” Westfall says. “We’re always striving to make a better cutting-edge product.”
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