As we reflect on the economy of the recent past, and look forward to the New Year, AHW is grateful to be working in a strong and steady industry with specialized quality products and services. A little over two years ago, in October of 2007, the economy soared. The Dow Jones industrial average reached a record high of 14,164 and the business world roared with activity and confidence. Then in October 2008 over an 8 day period the Dow dropped 2,400 or 22 percent to end at 8,451. The decline continued and the Dow spiraled downward through March of this year to a low of 6,547. Some compared this period of economic collapse to the great crash of ’29, calling it “The Great Recession.”
And like during “The Great Depression,” headlines aren’t telling the whole story. During these difficult times, headlines sometimes miss the stories of people who continue to strive for excellence in their business, to develop new products and services, and to seize new opportunities; they sometimes miss the stories of people who continue to see their glass, as the saying goes, half-full rather than half-empty.
With 2009 nearing its end and another Holiday Season upon us, Aircraft Hardware West wishes to gratefully acknowledge that our glass continues to runneth over. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our loyal customers and excellent vendors, our dedicated staff, family and friends for all that you have done and continue to do – both in good economic times and bad – to support our business success.
Frank Ioffrida -CEO/President:
“Every morning I wake up and am grateful to be working with such a great group of talented and dedicated people. The success of our business is a result of the team effort. This AHW team continues to inspire me to come to work after twenty something years. They are like a magnet.”
Lindsay Vaughn – Operations Manager:
“I am grateful for all the employees at AHW and how they do an amazing job everyday. I am also grateful for and looking forward to the AHW Thanksgiving Feast.”
Nicole Faulkner – Controller:
“We’re like that commercial. Happy cows from a happy farm. We’re like free-range – not a cubicle company. Jamie comes in every morning smiling. Mark comes in singing. TO is always giving hugs - wishing us happy birthday months before our birthday. Frank is a hands-on boss who helps us learn and grow. He appreciates what we do. I love that we do things together too. A highlight is the BASH, an industry event held on the Queen Mary. We were all dancing together on the dance floor. No other company seemed to be as connected as us. We were like a family.”
“I’m grateful to be working with family and friends. It’s a great environment – we all feel listened to and respected here. I love working with such a talented, dedicated and fun group of people…I see us all growing together and that’s exciting. I also love that we go out as a group socially and always have a blast.”
Todd Goetz – Sales Associate:
“The people who work here make it enjoyable to come to work everyday. Frank creates a family like environment where I feel he cares about us as people, not just as employees. And, I am happy customers are still calling us. It’s that simple.”
Pat Sanchez – Sales Associate:
“I love working in an environment where everyone does their job well, and still manages to keep laughing. I like to laugh a lot. It keeps me feeling young.”
Heather Tellez – Sales Associate:
“I am grateful that AHW is a small and friendly workplace. I hear nightmares from my husband who works for a large company. Here we all talk to each other. I love everyone here. Also, my family is so important to me. I am grateful to AHW allows me flexible hours so I can do my job and still be there for my family when they need. .
Jamie Dimeo – Accounting Associate:
“I am grateful for our customers who are nice and thankful and who appreciate us as a company. I am also grateful that our owner, Frank, is so hands-on, that he is here everyday and enjoys being here – that makes AHW even more fun.”
Chris Vaughn – Quality Control Manager:
“I’m grateful for AHW’s continued success and for all the hard work that went to building the company before I got here. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with good people – everyone here communicates, there’s a flow of information – and a good sense of camaraderie.
“For me and my brother, TO, it’s about loyalty. Frank gave us an opportunity - he helped us out, saw our value and trusted us. AHW has changed our lives for the better. This workplace is different from all the other places I’ve worked. People really care here. If you get sick, people urge you to go home and take care of yourself. I’m also proud of this warehouse – there’s a feeling of freedom here because people trust that we’ll get the work done – I feel good about that – people respect me and ask my opinions to help problem solve.”
Thearith Oum (TO) – Warehouse Associate
I feel blessed to have a good job – a great job. I was hired on Frank’s birthday. I had spent the last year looking for work. I’d been out of school and idle all that time. From the first day of work, my life was changed. M-F – I’ve been a working man for over two-years now. We have a great warehouse team - we actually take pride in AHW and the work we do here. I’m still very young and yet I’ve grown a lot here. Outside, my friends, they take notice of my advancement – in my individual growth, in my being able to support myself outside in the world – and I’m grateful to Frank and AHW for making this possible.”
Lorenzo Ash - Warehouse Associate
I’m grateful for the work environment – the guys in the warehouse – and that I’ve been able to advance in my personal life as well, developing my new clothes line.
Mark Piatelli – Administrative Associate
“AHW is such a fun place to work – everyone works hard, smiles, appreciates each other and performs like a member of a team. I’m grateful to AHW for all making me feel so much a part of the family.”
The National Association of Business Associates (NABA) has recently declared the Great Recession over. Looking forward to a prosperous 2010, the Aircraft Hardware West “family” is happy to share with you why we see our glass as more than full.
