Aerial Machine & Tool ceremoniously broke ground on its new breathing technology center on Tuesday, July 15.
Founded in 1926 and relocated to Meadows of Dan in 1988, Aerial has long provided survivability solutions—such as the Emergency Breathing System (EBS) — to military and first responder forces.
“The EBSs are essentially small scuba bottles that pilots, aircrew, and passengers fly with or ride with on the water in the event of an underwater egress emergency situation,” said Aerial president and CEO Thomas “Wheels” Weidley.
Weidley said the new center will help keep both Aerial and Patrick County at the forefront of technological development in this critical, life-saving field.
Nearly $800,000 will be invested to design, construct, and outfit the approximately 3,600-square-foot building.
“This facility will provide purpose-built spaces and the latest technologies to not only sustain the existing EBS systems in the fleet and supplemental oxygen systems, but to design, develop, test, and prototype future solutions for our warfighters and first responders,” he said. “It will keep them safe and ensure mission success.”
Weidley said the new center also plans to offer multiple upskilling and cross-training opportunities for Aerial’s existing workforce and create room for additional employees.
“Aerial supplies the Department of Defense and first responder communities around the country with the most innovative and effective custom-engineered solutions capable of withstanding today’s operating environments,” he said.
In addition to breathing systems, Weidley said Aerial also manufactures technically sewn products such as aviation vests, plate carriers, troop seats, parachuting equipment, and flotation collars and belts made using radio frequency welding.
Patrick County Economic Development and Tourism Director James Houchins said Aerial’s continued growth highlights the valuable but lesser-known companies in the area.
“Survival systems—the things that they do here—have made a tremendous impact throughout the United States,” he said.
As a former Aerial employee, Houchins said he’s familiar with the EBS products.
“One of the things I’m excited about is they’re able to bring it in-house and make their own, and that’s what’s important. That’s what sustainability is about,” he said. “We wish Aerial the best and continued success—not just for company growth, but for upskilling employees, improving technical assistance, and being ready to help the military.”
Amanda Cervantes, business investment manager for the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, congratulated Aerial on its ongoing commitment to Patrick County, the Southern Virginia region, and the nation.
“One of the things that I think is most special about Aerial is their people,” she said. “Listening to your employees tell their stories and hearing their pride and commitment to their work is something that’s really special. It’s hard to find, and I’m so proud that we have this caliber of workforce right here.”
Cervantes said the employees’ dedication illustrates the impact of their work.
“Their work truly matters—it’s critical to our nation, critical to our defense base—and it’s very exciting to see this happening here and to watch the spread of defense work across the region,” she said. “I wish Aerial continued success as they move forward with construction.”
