Garrett AiResearch

Garrett AiResearch
Company type	Subsidiary (historical)
Industry	Aerospace, Turbocharger manufacturing
Predecessor	Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company
Founded	1936 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Founder	John Clifford "Cliff" Garrett
Defunct	1968 (merged with Signal Oil & Gas)
Fate	Merged with Signal Oil & Gas to form Signal Companies in 1964; later became part of AlliedSignal and Honeywell
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Turboprop engines, turbochargers, aircraft environmental control systems, aircraft electronics, aircraft propulsion units
Number of employees	5,500 (1951)

Garrett AiResearch was a producer of turboprop engines and turbocharger systems, recognized as a trailblazer in various aerospace innovations. The company originally operated under names such as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, and AiResearch Manufacturing Company. In 1964, it merged with Signal Oil & Gas to create Signal Companies, which later combined with Allied Corporation in 1985, forming AlliedSignal. AlliedSignal subsequently acquired Honeywell in 1999 and adopted the Honeywell brand.

Founding years

John Clifford "Cliff" Garrett established the firm in Los Angeles in 1936. Initially called Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, it was renamed Garrett Supply Company in 1937 and then became AiResearch Manufacturing Company by 1939 as part of the Garrett Corporation.

In 1939, Garrett launched a research laboratory dedicated to advancing pressurized flight technology. The company expanded its manufacturing operations from Glendale to a larger facility near what would become Los Angeles International Airport by 1941.

Responding to wartime demands in 1942, AiResearch opened a Phoenix Division in Arizona to move critical cabin pressurization production inland, forming AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona as a subsidiary.

1939 through 1949

The company's first significant product was an oil cooler designed for military aircraft such as the Douglas DB-7 and Boeing B-17 bombers, playing a vital role in air combat during World War II. Garrett also engineered the cabin pressurization system for the B-29 bomber, which was the first production bomber equipped with high-altitude pressurization. By the conclusion of the war, AiResearch had developed air expansion cooling turbines for the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, America’s inaugural jet fighter. Throughout WWII, Garrett AiResearch generated $112 million in military contracts and employed up to 5,000 personnel.

After the war, workforce reductions brought employee numbers down to approximately 600, prompting Garrett to pursue new markets. The company concentrated on small turbine engines designed by Walter Ramsaur since 1943. These turbines utilized engine heat to expand and cool air injected into cockpits at supersonic speeds. By 1951, Garrett maintained a $120 million backlog and operated three shifts with 5,500 employees producing around 700 accessory items.

By the late 1940s, Garrett Corporation was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and focused on developing small gas turbine engines ranging from 20 to 90 horsepower. The firm built expertise in areas such as metallurgy, high-speed sealing technologies, radial inflow turbines, and centrifugal compressors.

1950s and 1960s

By 1949, spatial limitations at the Sepulveda Boulevard facility near Los Angeles International Airport—employing roughly 2,000 workers—prompted expansion efforts. This site ranked among the top three global manufacturers of aircraft accessories. Construction of a new plant began in Torrance, California in 1959; by 1962 it housed about 1,000 employees and grew to 3,000 by 1972. The Sepulveda location eventually closed in 1990 following extended pressure from local authorities seeking redevelopment opportunities.

During the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, AiResearch broadened its scope into aircraft electronics with innovations such as angle of attack computers and centralized air data systems. The company diversified its aerospace offerings to encompass fluid control devices, hydraulic systems, avionics equipment, turbochargers, aircraft propulsion units, and environmental control systems for both aircraft and spacecraft. By 1960, these technologies were integrated into leading commercial airliners including the Convair 880 and Boeing 707. Additionally, Garrett developed the first inflatable evacuation slides for airliners.

Garrett was a pioneer in foil bearing technology during this period; these bearings debuted on the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 in 1969 and subsequently became standard equipment across all U.S. military aircraft. Their Environmental Control Systems played a crucial role in life support for NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab programs.

In industrial applications, Garrett delivered its inaugural T-15 turbocharger to Caterpillar in 1955 for use on earth-moving machinery. In 1954, founder Cliff Garrett created a distinct Industrial Division focused on diesel turbochargers based in Phoenix—later known as Garrett Automotive. Turbocharger applications expanded into tractors, locomotives, marine vessels, and stationary power generators. The T11 automotive turbocharger introduced in 1960 gained popularity among diesel truck operators.

By 1962, Garrett powered the world’s first turbocharged production non-sports vehicle—the Oldsmobile Jetfire Rocket—and achieved multiple industry milestones: securing the first turbocharged victory at the Indianapolis 500 (1968), introducing turbochargers to hot hatchbacks (Saab 99), producing the first mass-produced diesel turbocharger (Mercedes-Benz 300SD), and claiming the first turbocharged win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Renault Alpine A442).

1970s

Throughout the 1970s, Garrett's commercial operations experienced a notable transformation, with turbocharger and general aviation product sales expanding to account for 70% of total revenue, marking a shift away from its previous military-centric focus. By the close of the decade, the company's sales had climbed to $1.3 billion, supported by an order backlog totaling $1.9 billion, demonstrating robust growth and diversification across markets.

Mergers

Following the passing of founder Cliff Garrett in 1963, the company sought to avoid a hostile acquisition by merging with Signal Oil and Gas Company in 1964. This entity was renamed The Signal Companies in 1968. In 1985, Signal combined forces with Allied Corp., creating Allied-Signal, which subsequently purchased Honeywell Aerospace in 1999. Despite AlliedSignal being the larger organization, the Honeywell brand was preserved due to its stronger market presence.

The original Garrett AiResearch transitioned into the Garrett Turbine Engine Company in 1979 and was integrated into AlliedSignal as the Garrett Engine Division by 1985. AlliedSignal further expanded this division by acquiring Textron's Lycoming Turbine Engine Division in 1994, consolidating these operations under the AlliedSignal Engines Division within AlliedSignal Aerospace.

The Garrett Aviation Division, specializing in aircraft services, was divested to General Electric in 1997. This division underwent several ownership changes and rebrandings: it became Landmark Aviation in 2004 and later StandardAero in 2007 under Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's control. In 2015, StandardAero was acquired by BBA Aviation, reflecting ongoing consolidation trends within aerospace service providers.

Aircraft

Garrett STAMP

Turboprops

Turbofans

External links