HISTORY

The Marvin Group’s origins date back to February 1963, when founder Marvin P. Gussman opened a modest machine shop, backed by a small loan co-signed by his mother, and named it Marvin Engineering. Within a few short years, Marvin was joined by Gerald “Jerry” Friedman and Chuck Wright and Marvin Engineering Co., Inc. (MEC) was officially born, and as of 1966 had already reached $1 million in annual revenues.

Capitalizing on a vibrant Southern California Aerospace & Defense climate throughout the 1960s and into the 1980’s, Marvin Engineering continued to expand its customer base, revenues and capabilities, transforming initially from a small basic machining and build-to-print manufacturer to more complex machining, mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies, and the manufacture of larger aero structures.

Today, MEC is one of the leading Western manufacturers of stores carriage and release systems, otherwise known as Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) or Airborne Armament Equipment (AAE), consisting of ejector racks, missile launchers, aircraft pylons and other auxiliary equipment. It has also successfully developed its own proprietary state-of-the-art systems for 5th Generation and beyond aircraft and developed a robust depot and sustainment capabilities to support both domestic and international customers.

Acquisition and Expansion

In 1988, Aerospace Dynamics International (ADI), formerly Butler Industries, was added to the portfolio, and ADI eventually grew into one of the premier suppliers of complex aerospace and defense aircraft parts and assemblies, supporting military as well as commercial customers including Lockheed Martin, Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing and Airbus. In 2014, ADI was sold to PCC in part to enable The Marvin Group to focus on its defense-related core business interests.

The next expansion in the portfolio of The Marvin Group occurred in 1995, when Marvin Land Systems (MLS) was formed from the former FMS. The acquisition and reconstitution of MLS introduced a ground vehicles focus to The Marvin Group, with upgrades and modernization of various U.S. tracked and wheeled vehicles. Marvin Land Systems continues to specialize in customized power and thermal management solutions for vehicles, including Auxiliary Power Units, Environmental Control Units and related sub-systems, and Electronics Chillers, and more recently has expanded to supporting naval platforms as well, with customers including General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE and many others.

In 1997, Marvin Test Solutions (MTS), formerly known as Geotest-Marvin Test Systems, was integrated into The Marvin Group, expanding the service offerings to include high performance, high reliability aerospace test and measurement equipment for use from the flightline (O-Level) to depot/production application. MTS armament test equipment is in use worldwide, supporting a variety of sophisticated precision guided munitions, particularly AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-114 Hellfire systems. Its MTS-235 tester has been approved as the depot level solution to support the F-35 Lightning II Program, and its ruggedized and compact footprint enables it to be used in more austere, forward deployed scenarios as well.

The Marvin Group Founded by Marvin Gussman

Marvin P. Gussman opened a modest machine shop, backed by a small loan co-signed by his mother, and named it Marvin Engineering. Within a few short years, Marvin was joined by Gerald “Jerry” Friedman and Chuck Wright and Marvin Engineering Co., Inc. (MEC) was officially born

Breaking $1 Million in Annual Revenues

The Marvin Group reaches $1 million in annual revenues.

Aerospace Dynamics International Acquired

Marvin Land Systems Formed Following Acquisition

Marvin Land Systems (MLS) was formed from the former FMS. The acquisition and reconstitution of MLS introduced a ground vehicles focus to The Marvin Group, with upgrades and modernization of various U.S. tracked and wheeled vehicles. Marvin Land Systems continues to specialize in customized power and thermal management solutions for vehicles, including Auxiliary Power Units, Environmental Control Units and related sub-systems, and Electronics Chillers, and more recently has expanded to supporting naval platforms as well, with customers including General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE and many others.

Marvin Test Solutions Acquired

The Marvin Group's New Corporate Headquarters

In 2006, a new corporate headquarters building was constructed at 261 W. Beach Avenue, adjacent to the original building (now used for depot work) that Marvin Gussman occupied at this Inglewood location.