Kent aircraft parts supplier to lay off 46 employees

Hydro Systems USA, an aircraft parts supplier based in Germany, will permanently lay off 46 employees at its Kent location, 7028 S. 204th St.

The state Employment Security Department recently announced the layoffs through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN). The layoffs begin July 31.

Hydro began in 1965 as a small engineering business in Biberach, a picturesque village in Germany’s Black Forest. The company employs more than 700 worldwide, according to the company’s website.

Hydro announced earlier this year it will move U.S. production of jet engine stands for European customers to its headquarters in Germany. The change is to better align to the needs of the company’s European customers, reduce shipping costs, and provide quicker response times. This will be particularly beneficial to customers such as Rolls Royce, who use jet engine stands from Hydro to safely transport Trent 1000, XWB and Trent 700 engines.

Hydro Systems USA will focus primarily on U.S. customers. The company also has locations in Miami, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

“We believe that a local for local strategy serves our customers in the best way,” said Kurt Armbruster, Hydro Systems USA president.

At its facility in Kent, the company is expected to adjust and right size to the new market demand for engine stands but expand in other areas.

“Our focus will be U.S. customers, and we will drive forward and expand the quality service, tooling and GSE (general service equipment) business as we grow in the future,” Armbruster said. “We are already seeing an upturn in service work and we are working smoothly with our customers as they face increased flights and demand for service.”

A company spokesperson declined to answer how many employees will remain at the Kent location.

Staff from the state Employment Security Department’s local rapid response team and WorkSource center will perform outreach to employees of Hydro Systems to ease the transition.