Liberty, S.C. February 26, 2025 — PMW Aero, a beneficiary of an i3 Global Enterprises capital allocation, is a South Carolina-based manufacturer rapidly gaining ground in the medical, space, aerospace and defense sectors as suppliers of high precision, machined components.
With more than 70 years of experience in serving commercial and defense customers, the recent successes in space and aerospace are the result of a long history and reputation for leveraging advanced technology to produce complex and high-quality machined products.
“We’ve just gotten into the space exploration arena within the past 18 months,” said Ashley Heaton, chairman and founder of PMW Aero, whose company has recently manufactured components used to support a new wave of rockets. “Most of the work we’ve done leading up to where we’re at now has been focused on space and satellites.”
Using Industry 4.0 diversified technology and smart systems such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, PMW Aero has manufactured thousands of precision components to support tech companies in the race to deploy satellites in the low Earth orbit (LEO). Because these satellites are closer to the earth, broadband speed hindrances like latency can be avoided. As such, LEO satellites provide fast, affordable broadband to underserved or unserved communities.
PMW Aero’s ascent is timely given the space industry’s unprecedented surge in 2024, as evidenced by the recent and numerous rocket launches made by premier, U.S.-based entities. The boom, according to Worth Magazine, “is driven by a combination of forces: important long-awaited government initiatives, a steady stream of private sector innovations and international competition.”
“To grow, we needed to venture into this completely new world,” said Heaton, whose grandfather John Heaton founded Aero’s parent company Precision Machine Works (PMW) in Aiken, S.C., in 1955. “Building the infrastructure the right way and acquiring the aerospace certifications and requirements — those things get your foot in the door, but that’s only the first step. You have to cultivate relationships. It’s a completely different industry. So that takes time.”
PMW Aero is AS9100D / ISO2015 certified. These certifications — requirements set to satisfy Department of Defense, NASA and Federal Aviation Administration standards — are known for their rigor and required, long-term auditing process.
“The components we manufacture for space and aerospace must endure extreme heat and temperature changes, be small and light, yet very precise,” said Heaton. “So, relationships within the industry are built on these unique demands.”
PMW Aero’s location has also aided its success. Heaton said much time and consideration went into choosing the right location. While Liberty, S.C., is a comparatively small community, its proximity to Greenville, S.C., and Clemson University has proven fertile ground for local talent. Greenville, a growing city known for its vibrant engineering sector, strong job market and coveted quality of life, ranked No. 4 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live. Meanwhile, the local school district’s Pickens County Career and Technology Center is one of the oldest and most celebrated career centers in South Carolina.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” said Heaton. “In this area, you’ll still see the old mill town work ethic in the workforce, people who carry the traditions passed down from their grandparents. But at the same time, there’s access to a thriving engineering and academic culture as well.”
For more information, call (803) 399-9009 or email info@i3resources.com.
About PMW Aero
PMW Aero is a rapidly expanding manufacturer of high precision, machined components for the medical, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defense industries. Incorporating Industry 4.0 diversified technology and smart systems such as Internet of Things, machine learning and artificial intelligence, the company enhances the value of its manufacturing services to its customers. With roots going back more than 70 years to its parent, Precision Machine Works of Aiken, S.C., PMW Aero has capitalized on its long heritage of high-quality operations and outstanding customer service. Operating since 2019, PMW Aero (AS9100D / ISO2015 certified) specializes in the machining of complex geometry (5-axis), tight tolerance, medium sized engine, structural and component parts. Its current 40,000-square-foot facility on a 20-acre site is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including a large array of DMG Mori CNC machining centers supported by a high-end, quality-assurance lab standardized with Zeiss CMM technologies. PMW Aero prides itself on having the "Best People with the Best Technology!" and is poised for significant growth as a key supplier to the major aerospace OEMs and their Tier 1-2 supply chain.
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