If you ask Don Pisano, president and founder of PAMCO, to tell you about his company, he’ll say, “Don’t ask me about PAMCO … ask our customers.” This one statement speaks volumes about the man and the company he created.
Don got interested in the aircraft business in the 1950s while working on Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines. He got a job modifying aircraft hardware in Sun Valley,California, where he learned the art of precision machining. A few years later, with money borrowed from a friend, Don started D.A. Pisano Company in his garage and continued working on P&W engine parts. In 1962, he moved his growing business into a small shop in Sun Valleywhere he ran his company for many years.
By 1979, Don and two partners were running a company called Cal Fittings, which bought and sold aircraft parts. Don wanted Cal Fittings to start manufacturing precision aircraft fittings, but his partners said, “No.” Saying “No” to Don Pisano is like throwing down a gauntlet. Challenges are his inspiration for action. So Don set out to build another business…and PAMCO was born.
In that same year, PAMCO acquired manufacturing equipment for its recently completed 6,800-square-foot building in Sun Valley. With twelve employees, and Don’s expert leadership, PAMCO began producing top-of-the-line-aircraft fittings. “The 1980s were tough years,” says Don, “but hard work and close attention to customer needs saw us through and helped to create the success that is PAMCO today.”
Indeed, PAMCO’s success is amazing. PAMCO achieved Performance Review Institute’s “Qualified Products Listing” (QPL) for -4, -5, -6, -8, -12, -16 & -20 and -24 in Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Low Carbon and Titanium materials starting in the early part of 2002 and still continuing today. This QPL is for flareless fittings procured under AS18280 (MIL-F-18280) requirements. PAMCO occupies over 22,000 square feet in Sun Valley, employs a work force of over 60, and operates 20-hours-a-day with two shifts.
What is the secret of PAMCO’s success? “It’s no secret,” Don explains. “We just do things right. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our service to our customers. We plan to increase our QPL items in flareless fittings and expand our size ranges in our product line”.
PAMCO’s future is firmly rooted in its past. “Based upon our reputation alone,” says Don, “we will maintain existing relationships as new business joins our family of loyal customers.” PAMCO will continue to grow and prosper because, as Don likes to say, “We’re not in business for ourselves … we’re in business for our customers.”
Don’s dedication and determination is instilled in each and every employee. From Management to Maintenance, from Machinist to Shipping Clerk, Quality and Customer come first.
