March - Rockwell Collins Tour

SME CHAPTER 186 – March Meeting

Tour of Rockwell Collins

SME 186’s monthly meeting will be a plant tour at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids. Below is information about Rockwell Collins from their website.

Since its founding as Collins Radio in 1933, Rockwell Collins and its products have been recognized for distinctive quality and state-of-the-art technology. Collins Radio Company, founded by Arthur Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, initially designed and produced short wave radio equipment. The company steadily grew, and captured the world's attention when Collins supplied the equipment to establish a communications link with the South Pole expedition of Rear Admiral Richard Byrd in 1933.

During the next three decades, Collins continued to expand its work in all phases of the communications field while broadening its technology thrust into numerous other disciplines. New developments such as flight control instruments, radio communication devices and satellite voice transmissions created great opportunities in the marketplace. Collins Radio Company provided communications in America's space program, including equipment for astronauts to communicate with earth stations and equipment to track and communicate with spacecraft. Collins communications equipment was used for the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury programs, providing voice communication for every American astronaut traveling through space. In 1973, the U.S. Skylab Program used Collins equipment to provide communication from the astronauts to earth.

When the company experienced financial difficulties in 1973, Rockwell International, a diversified high-technology company, acquired Collins Radio Company. The company further strengthened the focus on aviation electronics in May 1998 when Rockwell Collins exited the Precision Agriculture and Integrated Local Government business and sold the Railroad Electronics business to Westinghouse Air Brake Company. On June 29, 2001, Rockwell Collins, Inc. was spun-off from Rockwell International and began trading its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COL." Today, Rockwell Collins, Inc. designs, produces, markets and supports electronic communications, avionics and in-flight entertainment systems for commercial, military and government customers worldwide.

Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the design, production and support of innovative solutions for our customers in aerospace and defense. Our expertise in flight-deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is strengthened by our global service and support network spanning 27 countries. Working together, our global team of nearly 20,000 employees shares a vision to create the most trusted source of communication and aviation electronics solutions.

Company website: http://www.rockwellcollins.com

Date – Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Tour Location – Rockwell Collins, 855 35th Street NE, Cedar Rapids

Dinner Location – Ryan’s Steakhouse Buffet, 230 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids