Putnam, Connecticut August 2013 – The small Putnam Industrial Park, located in the northeast corner of Connecticut earned attention from members of both Congress and the Senate recently. Specifically recognized was Kochek Company, Inc., the manufacturer of specialty fire equipment to the US, Canada, and international buyers. Kochek is an employee owned business and very civic minded, manufacturing a number of finished fire, industrial and irrigation products from raw material. Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Courtney made individual visits within just a few weeks of each other this Summer of 2013 for “Home Day” at Kochek Company. Home Days are events designed to bring fire industry awareness to the officials elected to represent the best interest of their constituents.
Kochek Company provides many products purchased, although not exclusively, with funds granted through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, or AFG, and other government programs. Currently Kochek Company holds approximately $4.5 million dollars in government contracts all related to the US Forestry Service, US Foreign Service and the military. With recent events such as the wildfires in the Midwest and property damage in the billions every year from fire, the elected officials were motivated to come see for themselves just what their constituents’ tax dollars are supporting. After a brief education on how the company’s products are used and the technology employed to make them, both Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Courtney were pleased to learn about the return Kochek provides to the community.
Pictured above, Senator Blumenthal gets a hands-on introduction to the nozzles manufactured on site that fulfill a portion of one of the forestry contracts currently held by Kochek Company. The senator was impressed with the quality of the products. The nozzle starts in raw form as an aluminum extrusion; after it is engineered, machined, assembled, finished and tested in the Putnam facility, the product is packaged and shipped. Monies allocated through federal, state and local programs have a primary focus on supplying a need for the safety and protection of life and property; the benefit however is greater than tools, personnel and training. The resulting support of local jobs, and the businesses of domestic vendors and suppliers became evident while touring the production area. Providing opportunity through internships to local and regional institutions such as the Quinebaug Valley Community College reveals a certain synergy created by the tax dollars passing through the New England manufacturing facility that was commended by Blumenthal and Courtney.
Kochek Company experienced it’s humble beginning in Eastford, Connecticut in the back yard shop of now company president Greg Kozey. A machinist by trade and volunteer firefighter, he began fabricating products that filled a gap Kozey identified during his time at the department. Company vice president, Charles Kozey soon joined forces and since then many patents have been issued. The company has provided products to assist in landmark efforts such as the clean up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the oil fields of the Persian Gulf War.
Technology utilized in production such as lasers, automated machining, and custom robotics, sparked the interest of both visitors. The image above shows Congressman Courtney getting a quick tutorial on the use of lasers on the production floor by Dan Diagneault, the resident laser technology specialist. Lasers are used to customize product to each customer’s specification. The company is constantly implementing new technology in unique ways to expand the business’s capabilities while maintaining a positive impact on the environment and retaining the smallest footprint possible.
Congressman Courtney praised the effort to preserve the environment along with the civic minded practice of providing opportunity through internships. Kochek Company is proud to support the community and currently doing so through three interns from Quinebaug Valley Community College.
Pictured below rounding out the Congressman’s visit, Tim Osborn head of the Information Technology department at Kochek, thanks Congressman Courtney for his recommendation letter to the United States Air Force Academy for his son Travis Osborn. Few are bestowed the opportunity to attend the prestigious USAFA. Aside from academics, athleticism, and community involvement, the character of each applicant must be weighed which is an arduous and time consuming process. Everyone at Kochek Company is grateful for the time and effort the congressman and senator put into considerations such as these and we congratulate Travis on being accepted.
Courtney is part of the Fire Caucus, and said his visit to Kochek was prompted by the fires in the Midwest, and because of the company’s reputation.
Blumenthal remarked, “I want to help promote the work they do, and this kind of activity. The products coming out of this company are very high quality. The fires out in the Midwest, and the prevalence of fires throughout the country is very concerning. I wanted to come and see first hand where the products were made.”
