Curtis-Wright Corporation: The Spirit of Innovation

The Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a company that manufactures a diversified range of products and provides various services to different businesses in different industries such as aerospace, defense, oil and gas, nuclear power generation, and others. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the American company was founded in 1929 through the merger of Curtis, Wright, and other companies in Buffalo, New York. By the end of World War II, it was considered as the largest aircraft manufacturer in the US, supplying the entire aircraft in huge numbers to the U.S. Armed Forces. Since then, it has evolved away from final assembly of finished aircraft and focusing on manufacturing components. It specializes in aircraft controls, actuators, valves, and metal treatment. Furthermore, it is also a supplier to commercial nuclear power and nuclear navy systems to oil and gas companies.

Curtiss-Wright officially came into existence on July 5, 1929. It resulted from the merger of 12 companies associated with Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company and Wright Aeronautical. With a capital of $75 million, it was the biggest aviation in the US. Initially, it has three main divisions: Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division, Wright Aeronautical Corporation, and Curtiss-Wright Propeller Division. The first manufactured airframes, the second produced aircraft engines, while the third specialized in propellers. After 1929, most of the engines that the company produced were known as Wrights while most of the aircrafts were known as Curtiss, only with a few exceptions.

Throughout the 1930s, the company designed and developed aircraft for commercial, private, and military markets. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, the company’s strong and long relationship with the US military helped it conquer the odds.

During the Second World War, the company produced more than 140,000 aircraft engines and over 145,000 electric propellers. It also developed about 30,000 airplanes. While the company had missteps throughout the years, particularly after the War, it continued to prove successful, acquiring a number of companies along the way.