History of ATC

Since its inception in 1996, Argo Turboserve Corporation (ATC) has become a leading innovative provider of supply chain management and investment recovery services of aftermarket spare parts to numerous corporations, including several Fortune 500 companies. Our customers include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end users and distributors who have significant investment in spare parts inventories.

The company was spun off from Argo International Corporation, a global stocking distributor established in 1952. Clyde Keaton, then Argo International’s CEO, (formerly a Vice President of General Electric and a CEO of a public environmental company) saw the opportunity to create a high growth, innovative company that provides world-class, customized supply chain management services focused on the unique complexities of aftermarket spare parts. Clyde Keaton was named President and CEO of ATC.

The spin off was initiated by a large spare parts supply chain management program with a major industrial OEM.  That included purchasing, inventory management and ownership, warehousing, shipping to end customer and six sigma quarterly performance reporting.  In early 1997 a second major full spare parts supply chain program was established with a large controls manufacturer.

As part of the spin-off, ATC purchased the Turbine and Governments Parts Divisions from Argo International. These Divisions had their roots in the industrial and marine industries. The Turbine Division had been established in 1956 as a stocking distributor for a leading OEM of steam turbine aftermarket parts for the marine markets. This was expanded in 1965 to also cover the industrial market. ATC was responsible for inventory planning, purchasing, warehousing and direct customer sales. Similarly, the Government Parts Supply Division had been established in 1982 to service the aftermarket needs of the Marine and U.S. Navy markets.

In 1999, the TCP (Turbine Clearance Parts) Division was formed to assist a major Power Generation OEM in reducing inactive surplus inventory that was scheduled for write-down. ATC formed a team of experienced and knowledgeable personnel to focus on creative ways to convert this inactive inventory to sales and income. The success of this program led to new programs in 2003 and 2005 which are continuing to assist our customers in finding creative ways of reducing both inactive and excess inventory.

In 2000, ATC identified new growth opportunities to provide aftermarket spare parts supply chain services in the aerospace and nuclear power generation industries. As a result, the Hi-Tech Aero Spares (HTAS) Division and Utility Services Division (USD) were created.

The HTAS Division’s first partnership was with a major OEM in the aerospace industry, with scope that included inventory planning, purchasing, warehousing and worldwide distribution of stock aftermarket spare parts. This was soon followed by a partnership with a major aircraft manufacturer, with the same supply chain scope accommodating two complete aircraft programs, plus direct worldwide sales and spares support responsibility. In 2003, HTAS also initiated a Material Returns Management program with a large aerospace OEM, which provides the OEM with a dedicated service to facilitate inspection, receipt and availability of parts for resale.

The Utility Services Division’s initial program was with a leading company in the nuclear utility power generation industry, where ATC managed a large investment recovery program for new surplus spare parts. This was soon followed by similar investment recovery programs with several other nuclear utilities. In addition, USD established a sourcing service to procure hard-to-find spare parts. Since 2004 USD has acquired two businesses, Spectrum Technologies and Southern Testing Services in order to better serve Utility Customers by providing material qualification services.

ATC Europe S.r.l., located in Florence Italy is ATC’s first European independent company. ATC Europe was incorporated in January 2006 with the purpose of introducing our services and experience into the Italian and European Union market. Already active in Italy with consulting programs to reapply slow moving inventory parts, ATC Europe is also active in studying, designing and future implementation of Supply Chain projects.

As part of ATC’s business philosophy of continuous improvement, we obtained ISO 9002 certification in 1999. Also in 1999, we incorporated the Six Sigma methodology into our day-to-day businesses with the training of numerous key employees. In 2001, our HTAS Division gained DMIR approval from the FAA, and achieved DSQR (Designated Quality Rep) approval as a supplier of OEM parts. Also in 2001, our IMS Division was approved in the nuclear industry to 10CFR50 Appendix B and ASME NQA-1. In 2002, ATC obtained recertification to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard. This was followed in 2003 with HTAS certification to ASA100, ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100:2001.

In recognition of ATC’s efforts, in 2000 our Government Parts Supply Division received the "Best Value Gold Medal" from the US Defense Supply Center, as one of the Government's best suppliers. Firms that qualify for this award have met stringent quality and delivery requirements established by the Defense Logistics Agency. The gold medal indicates a perfect score of 100.

ATC is also a leading adopter of Microsoft’s Dynamics AX ERP Software and has been frequently recognized by Microsoft for our innovative applications, which we utilize meeting our client’s needs.