ITW GSE enjoy a global market-leading position as a manufacturer of ground power units and pre-conditioned air units for the supply of aircraft. Also, we supply cables and hoses.
ITW GSE is a division of ITW - Illinois Tool Works.
ITW GSE
ITW GSE
ITW refers to our parent company and GSE stands for what we are doing: namely supplying the aviation industry with the cleanest, most reliable and most cost efficient Ground Support Equipment systems.
As part of a brand consolidation process, the legacy brands of AXA Power, Hobart, Houchin, J&B Aviation and ITW GSE Military were merged back in 2018. Since then, the entire product portfolio is sold under the ITW GSE brand name only. The ITW GSE team consists of dedicated people whereof many have been with the company for many years thus ensuring a great know-how and expertice.
ITW - Illinois Tool Works
Founded in 1912, ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a global industrial company centered on a differentiated and proprietary business model. The company’s seven industry-leading segments leverage the ITW Business Model to generate solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITW’s approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture and work to position ITW as one of the world’s best-performing, highest-quality and most-respected industrial companies. In 2019, the company had revenues of $14.1 billion, with roughly half coming from outside North America
Read more about Illinois Tool Works.
See the 2019 CSR report here.
History of the AXA Power Brand
History of AXA PowerHistory of the Hobart Brand
History of HobartHistory of the Houchin Brand
History of HouchinHistory of the J&B Aviation Brand
History of J&B AviationThe milestones of ITW GSE and our legacy brands
The 21st century
2021
ITW GSE 7400 180 kVA eGPU
2020
ITW GSE Intelligent Power Management
ITW GSE Power by the Hour
ITW GSE 2400, 270 VDC GPU
2019
ITW GSE 7400 JetEx 28 VDC eGPU
2018
ITW GSE becomes one single brand of all ground power units, pre-conditioned air units and accessories. All legacy brands are absorbed under this brand.
2017
ITW GSE 7400 90 kVA eGPU
2016
ITW GSE JetEx8
2015
ITW GSE 4400 Diesel Powered GPU
2013
Hobart, Houchin, AXA Power, J&B Aviation and ITW Military GSE merged under the ITW GSE umbrella of companies (Branding phase 1).
Trilectron was discontinued.
The ITW GSE 2400 Common Design Platform saw daylight
2009
The first AXA Power PCA was produced
Trilectron’s Military product line became ITW Military GSE
2005
The first AXA Power Coil was produced
Illinois Tool Works acquires Houchin
2003
AXA Power Plug & Play Voltage Compensation System
Trilectron separated military business into separate company named ITW Military GSE
Primary business supporting F16 and F22 and the Navy
2002
Illinois Tool works acquires J&B Aviation
2001
Trilectron Industries merges into Hobart Brothers Company and becomes a division of Hobart Brothers Company
2000
Illinois Tool Works creates the ITW GSE Ground Services division, which brings together Hobart Ground Power, AXA Power, Trilectron Industries and Air-a-Plane, and, finally, J&B Aviation.
Illinois Tool Works acquires AXA Power and Trilectron
Trilectron manufactured commercial and military aircraft gound support equipment and acquires Air-a-plane
The 20th century
1995
Illinois Tool Works acquires Hobart
1991
J&B Aviation was founded in California (Cables & Plugs, and PCA accessories)
1987
The first AXA Power 400 Hz Solid State GPU
1986
The first Point of Use PCAir unit “DXU” was manufactured by Air-A-Plane. This was the basis of design for all current PCAir units in the market place today.
1972
Trilectron begins specializing in military GSE
1958
The first AXA Power 28 VDC GPU
1946
Hobart Brothers sets up Hobart Ground Power after American Airlines asks the company to design a generator to start larger aircraft engines Air-A-Plane was the first company to manufacture a PCAir unit for cooling aircraft (mobile and engine driven).
1924
Foundation of Axel Åkerman, Odense Denmark (later AXA Power)
1921
Houchin Aerospace was established in Kent, Ashford
1912
Illinois Tool Works was founded in Glenview, IL, USA (conglomerate of industrial equipment)