How PCX is Committed to Making a Difference
Supporting the U.S. military’s global mission by supplying the KC-46 program has special meaning to Pacific Component Xchange founder and CEO Gilles Aouizerat. “I’m a naturalized U.S. citizen, so the pride I feel in being an integral part of such an important organization is humbling,” Aouizerat said during a video interview. “You probably can’t see it from the camera, but it actually gives me chills.”
Born in France, Aouizerat’s journey to establishing this electronic components distributor in Southern California might also create goosebumps. “I got started in my parent’s spare bedroom, and our first warehouse was an unused bathroom, believe it or not,” Aouizerat said. “Back then, there wasn’t a strong understanding of at-home businesses, and the homeowner association that my parents lived in said we couldn’t be in business there, so we were forced to leave. And the rest is history.”
Thirty years after setting a dream in motion, Aouizerat’s small business is a key commercial and defense aerospace supplier, including Boeing’s KC-46 program. In addition, the company provides fasteners for the KC-46A Pegasus and ground support equipment. “Knowing that every day, every effort that I put in is keeping our country safe and independent makes a world of difference to me,” said senior account manager Heather Siemaszko, who oversees the PCX’s KC-46 account.
WHAT BOEING IS DOING FOR THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Today the Boeing KC-46A is proven, operational, and approved by the U.S. Air Force for all global mission deployments, including combat operations. For instance, four KC-46A tankers can be used for the exact operating cost of three larger refuelers, meaning more booms in the air and more fuel where needed. Every month, the KC-46A flies more than 400 sorties and offloads more than five million pounds (22.7 million kilograms) of fuel to receivers globally.
In addition, the proven boom and hose-and-drogue systems can refuel all U.S., allied, and coalition aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. With its track record of success, the KC-46A is proven for today’s missions. And PCX has a part in every single one!
PCX Supplies for Safety
Pacific Component Xchange and over 600 other small businesses supply the world’s most advanced aerial refueler. These small businesses employ more than 37,000 American workers. PCX also offers you a sense of security in your supply chain. People come to us when they are:
- Upset with rising costs.
- Frustrated by the de-commits and non-deliveries from factories.
- Irritated by poor vendor communication.
- Scared to receive bad parts from the open market.
- Concerned with long lead times and obsolescent challenges in finding parts.
Get to know more about PCX and what we are doing to help keep the world safer with Boeing.