Aluminum Precision Products (APP) has established itself as an international leader in closed and open die forgings of aluminum and titanium alloys. With capabilities that extend from initial design to final assembly, APP is an important presence in the world markets for wrought non-ferrous products.
APP is a privately held California corporation founded in 1965 by Philip S. Keeler. Mr. Keeler and his highly experienced staff have guided the firm through over 4 decades of constant growth. APP is composed of two major Divisions in 7 locations and employs more than 800 people. The two divisions are APP Forge and Catalina Cylinders.
APP is an ESOP company (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The Company’s financial status is exceptionally strong and in an excellent position to capitalize on new opportunities for growth and new market penetration.
The APP Forge Division produces closed die aluminum and titanium forgings, machined and finished components and assemblies, and aluminum open die (“hand”) forgings. Our markets include every major aircraft/aerospace manufacturer in the world, automotive O.E.M. and after-markets, recreation, industrial, medical equipment, and others. In addition to the North American markets, APP exports products to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia.
Key operating assets include 47 hydraulic and mechanical forging presses ranging from 300 to 8,000 tons with the capability of producing closed die aluminum forgings from 1 square inch to more than 550 square inches plan view area (PVA), titanium forgings from 1 to 150 inches PVA, and Open Die Forgings in excess of 3,500 pounds. Also included are more than 36 CNC machining centers and 7 CNC die sinking centers.
Our Engineering and Tooling Design department operates on advanced simulation and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) platforms. The company has a full complement of forge die manufacturing equipment used to design, fabricate, service and repair all of our own dies on the premises.
APP enjoys an unparalleled reputation for quality. Accredited to Nadcap standards for Heat Treatment, Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection and Ultrasonic Inspection, APP is constantly in pursuit of excellence. APP is also QS-9000 Accredited (Oxnard facility) and AS-9100 Accredited. We are approved by every major airframe Prime in the world, including more than 500 subtiers to these prime contractors. We are committed to steady, long term improvement of all of our products and processes through defect prevention rather than detection. Our goal is to be the world-class quality supplier of choice in the forging industry.
Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management and Continuous Process Improvement, play critical roles in APP’s efforts to constantly improve efficiencies and reduce costs. APP continually invests significant funds and manpower for improved plant layout, training and the implementation of lean measures.
APP’s Catalina Cylinders Division, which employs more than 300 people, is headquarted in Garden Grove, California and produces high and low pressure cylinders for SCUBA, Beverage, Medical and Industrial applications. A subdivision of Catalina Cylinders, Cliff Impact in Hampton, Virginia, produces aluminum impact extrusions and cylinders for industrial and commercial markets. For more information regarding Catalina Cylinders and Cliff Impact, please visit their web site at www.catalinacylinders.com.