General Business

July 3, 2024

Two weeks before Christmas 2023, Scozzari Builders has completed the new Trenton headquarters for Switlik, a manufacturer of inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine and military/government markets. Constructed at a cost of $4.8 million with a crew of 30 workers, the 37,000-square-foot building represents another step forward for this family-owned business that has been a fixture in Trenton since 1920.

A major employer for Trenton and Hamilton residents, Switlik brings a lot of history to the area. In the 1930s, the company became the largest parachute manufacturer in the country, outfitting the expeditions of Amelia Earhart and Admiral Richard Byrd. It later assisted the U.S. government in producing parachutes for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

To underscore his commitment to his 100-plus employees, Switlik has created a “family business” mentality, but also works with local schools, invests in the region and runs a charitable foundation. Installing solar panels is one of the company's key environmental policies, with renewable energy helping to power the new facility.

Run by the founder's descendants, the company has active contracts with all branches of the U.S. military and also serves an extensive corporate customer base in commercial airlines, aviation, and oil and gas, as well as selling directly to consumers. Looking ahead, Switlik hopes to use the additional space to test innovative ideas, diversify into more product categories and take the company into new international markets. 

architect

Clarke Caton Hintz

Trenton

builder

Scozzari Construction Company

Trenton

Nominator

Nick Scozzari, Mr Superintendent, Scozzari Construction Company

Trenton

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