Evolved SeaSparrow Missile

Australia’s leading gear manufacturer Ronson Gears is one of six businesses tasked with delivering critical hardware and software sub-missiles into the global Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) program, writes Ruza Zivkusic.

Established in 1954, precision gear manufacturer Ronson Gears is a Melbourne-based company of 43 staff that services a range of sectors globally.

From aerospace to agriculture, defense, energy, off-highway, medical and rail, Ronson prides itself on delivering quality products through innovation. A hands-on, third-generation family business, it stays abreast of technological developments as a member of various leading associations, having engineered gears for all industrial applications.

Boosting supply chain

Selected by BAE Systems Australia amongst a handful of other Australian SMEs for the delivery of sub-missiles, Ronson Gears will enable the growth of a significant sovereign supply chain, providing opportunities for future design, integration and advanced manufacturing.

BAE Systems and an expanded network of Australian industry partners will deliver sub-assemblies into Block 2 of the ESSM program under a new three-year full rate production contract with a contracted customer in the United States.

The ESSM is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles.

BAE Systems is the Australian industry lead in the NATO ESSM Consortium which oversees the program of up to 12 nations including the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.

The contracts underscore BAE System’s guided weapons design and manufacturing credentials and the sovereign capability across Australian industry to deliver to the Australian Defence Force and allied nations.

BAE Systems Australia Managing Director for Defence Delivery

Andrew Gresham says the contracts will continue the important work undertaken by industry partners across Australia which have been delivering guided weapons capability into domestic and export programs for decades.

“BAE Systems Australia is proud to continue its role in the ESSM program, which ensures the protection of naval fleets around the world,” Gresham says.

“An established sovereign design and manufacturing capability and network of industry suppliers means we are ready today to extend delivery into more guided weapons programs under the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.”

BAE Systems has been involved with the ESSM program from the commencement of the Engineering & Manufacturing Development phase in the mid 1990’s through to Full Rate Protection of the Block 1 missile, continuing its support on Block 2 development in 2015. The company will deliver a range of sub-assemblies including the missile’s thrust vector controller, aerodynamic control fins, fuselage and internal structure elements, telemetry data transmitting systems as well as sophisticated pitch over autopilot algorithms.

Global recognition

Ronson Gears began diversifying into the space sector a decade ago. The company was awarded AS9100C Quality Management System Standards (Aerospace) accreditation three years ago –paving the way for company’s expansion into new international markets.

A recognition of the company’s long-standing focus on quality, customer service and its ongoing investment in state-of-the-art equipment, the accreditation enables Ronson to service the high demands of customers in the aerospace and defence industries, Managing Director Gordon New says.

“We achieved ISO9001 accreditation in 1998 and have a proven record of providing quality services to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) in a broad range of industries,” New says.

“We’ve supplied BAE Systems for many years as well as indirectly supplying well-known companies including Boeing and Lockhead Martin. “This new accreditation means the company’ expertise will be more widely recognised globally.

“About ten years ago we went out on path of getting aerospace certification which had opened a lot of new doors for us – so, we’ve been working away at things in the background for 10 years so that when the opportunity presented itself we were ready to jump on it.”

Future focus

Embracing Industry 4.0 with investment in technology and robotics, Ronson believes in investing in training and being part of industry associations such as the Association of American Gear Manufacturers (AGMA) in order to stay at the forefront of industry developments.

Being AS9100 Rev D and ISO9001:2015 certified by Lloyds Quality Assurance Limited; its focus on controls and quality is clear. Offering sub-assembly services as well as gear metrology services, Ronson has been expanding into new regions – the UK and Europe, and also has representation out of Bristol, and England.

It also exports to Chile, Hong Kong, Thailand, USA and New Zealand. “We attend events in the US and Europe and network with like-minded people in the gear manufacturing business,” New says. “That means dealing and speaking to other gear manufacturers so we get to hear what technologies they’re implementing into their business and we also get to rub shoulders with suppliers. Through travel, networking and trade shows we get to stay abreast of it. By doing that and investing in new technologies is what’s kept us ahead of the game – certainly here locally with the investment of high-precision gear machine tools,” he adds.

“When you’re talking globally, it gets us closer to being on level par with those competitors overseas.”

The company has seen a 15% growth in business over the past two years – mainly due to companies brining work back to Australia following COVID-19.

“The mining industry continues to still be very busy and aerospace and defence has come back on board as well,” he says.

“The investment in tech for us is predominantly gear manufacturing – machines that grind gears and cut. The traditional methods are well and truly preceded.”

Outlook

Committed to servicing its existing customers to its best ability, Ronson Gears is focusing on digitalisation. “For us the question is how can we better plan the process that we undertake in key manufacturing and how do we present data to our customers – that’s the main aspect of bringing more visuals into the business and more monitors around the factory with upcoming work,” New says.

The company recruits up to six apprentices each year, placing value on training, support and progression.

“They learn from the best to be the best – and if that means travelling the globe to get the right qualifications, so be it,” New adds. “The Ronson Gears culture is happy, caring and inclusive. It’s why our people tend to stay with us just as long as our customers.”

Versatile and precise

Offering the most expensive range of manufacturing services from turning, milling, gear cutting, grinding and measuring with industry leading quality and precision, Ronson is increasingly adding more value and partnership to its customers, offering sub-assembly services as well as gear metrology services.

It also specialises in spline shafting, internal splining, broaching, tooth rounding and chamfering, gear inspection and analysis, specialised gearboxes and sub-assemblies and gear design assistance.

Because of its technology, Ronson Gears delivers a quick turnaround quality customised components.

It also carriers an extensive stock gear range from KHK in Japan, including spur gears, helical gears, worms and wheels, gear racks, beveral gears and spiral beveral gears.

ronsongears.com.au