About Kerns
Kerns is a world class international manufacturer of products for the Aerospace Industry. Established in the early 1950's, Kerns is a leading tier 1 supplier of complex components and assemblies for Aero-Engine and Rocket Engine applications. Kerns manufactures products for clients throughout the world in our main facility in Queens, New York, USA.
Kerns occupies a special process technology niche in the Aerospace industry. Kerns is quite unique with respect to the depth and breadth of its special process manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Kerns products are typically among the most complex, difficult to manufacture and most valuable in Aircraft and Rocket Engines. They require the engineering, quality, manufacturing and management mastery of technically challenging special processes. Visit Our Processes page for more information.
Kerns' special processes are performed on some of the most unforgiving and challenging materials used in manufacturing: super alloys. These materials are extremely hard with high temperature resistant properties. They are unusually tough materials requiring great skill with regard to their post special process machining.
The manufacturing precision required in the production of Kerns product is extremely demanding. Allowable dimensional deviation from nominal is typically measured in thousandths or tenths of thousandths of an inch. Typical temperatures for the vacuum braze and heat treat operations can be up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kerns products include structural static as well as rotating components. The product mix is comprised of Engine Front Frames, Turbine Nozzles, Air Ducts, Inducer Nozzles, Pressure Balance Seals, Oil Tanks and Shroud Supports. Visit Our Products page for more information.
Kerns produces complex components and assemblies for a broad range of Aircraft Engines. Our yearly turnover exceeds $40M. Kerns is involved, most notably, on the following commercial engines: The GEnx for the Boeing 787 & 747-8; the GE90-115B for the Boeing 777; the GP7000 for the Airbus A380; the CFM56 for the Boeing 737 & Airbus A319, A320 & A321; the CF34 for the Bombardier & Embraer Regional Jets. On the military side, Kerns is involved, most notably, with he following military engines: The F414 & F404 for the F-18 E&F and F-18 C&D, both of which are in the Indian Military buy competitions: the F-110 for the F-16 also involved in India competitions; T700 for the Blackhawk and Apache helicopters; the MTR390E for the Tiger Eurocopter and the LM2500 for Power Generation & Marine applications.
Kerns was granted a special Quality standing within the GE supply chain. Kerns is a Category 1 Supplier. Prime manufacturers like GE control special process certification very tightly. Through the application and audit of specific and demanding specifications all Primes determine the suppliers qualified to manufacture their products. As a Category 1 Supplier, Kerns is authorized by GE to approve special processes on GE's behalf for products that ship through the Kerns Quality System.
Kerns has a skilled program management and technical support team, that is qualified to take a program from concept through prototype, DFM and into full production. Kerns enjoys the challenge and opportunity of the integrated product development environment.
Our people are the backbone of our business. Our craftsmen average more than 20 years of aerospace experience. Their pride, experience and intelligence are paramount to our success. In addition to our skilled work force, Kerns has a network of qualified suppliers to support our need for raw material and proprietary products.