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For a company that specializes in deceleration and motion-control technology, Ace Controls shows little sign of slowing down itself, even as the global economy falters. Already known around the world for its shock absorbers and other products, Ace Controls continues to make gains in the global marketplace. President William Chorkey says it will continue to do so based on the strength of its product lines and its leadership.

The company was founded by Chorkey’s father in 1963 to sell flow control and check valves he designed thanks to his background in pneumatic valves. Ace Controls’ primary customers in those days were in the automotive sector, and when customers said they were looking for a way to speed up their equipment, Chorkey’s father went to the drawing board and developed adjustable shock absorbers. The success of that invention cleared the way for Ace Controls to become a global force, with worldwide distribution established by 1970.

Today, a significant amount of Ace Controls’ sales are to Europe, and the company has expanded its product line through internal growth and acquisitions. Through distributors in more than 110 cities in 35 countries, Ace Controls offers products such as shock absorbers, velocity and feed controllers, gas springs, hydraulic dampers, and bumpers.

Chorkey says the company’s formula for success has remained largely the same throughout its history. “It’s our innovation, high quality, high-performance durable designs that will last longer, and we have more heavy-duty components and more design integrity,” he says.

History of Diversification

Chorkey started his own company in the 1980s, but eventually was persuaded by his father to come back to Ace and by 1991, he was president. Chorkey led the company’s diversification from strictly industrial shock absorbers into new territories, such as rotary dampers, crane bumpers and velocity controls. One of the company’s largest growth vehicles has been gas springs, and Chorkey oversaw Ace Controls’ acquisition of a German gas spring manufacturer that now accounts for nearly 45 percent of the company’s sales.

In 2001, Ace Controls became part of Michigan-based Kaydon Corp., a designer and manufacturer of custom-engineered, performance-critical products for various industrial markets. When Chorkey took the reins as president in 1991, the company’s annual sales were around $21 million. At the time of the acquisition by Kaydon, that figure nearly doubled. Today, Ace Controls is on track for annual sales in excess of $90 million as Kaydon has helped the company reach new heights through an a more focused growth strategy that included the acquisition of Hahn, the expansion into gas springs and other product offerings.

Meeting Challenges

Having strong leadership in place when Chorkey retires later this year will be especially important in light of the challenges Ace Controls faces. Chorkey says maintaining strong profitability when manufacturing products with strong lifecycles is more challenging than in other industries, but Ace Controls’ ability to innovate and find new markets has been key to its continued success.

Even though the core industrial automation markets in the U.S. and Europe are switching to electric components instead of pneumatics, there are still opportunities for growth in pneumatics.

Chorkey says he feels the future of Ace Controls is in good hands and can be even brighter than before. “We feel like there will be great opportunities for growth in the next 20 to 25 years with our products,” he adds.