Life is about making decisions. For Alvin Gregorash, when faced with the decision to mortgage the future, he and wife Shirley decided to do exactly that.
It began in 1988 when Standard Aero, a Winnipeg-based aeronautics leader informed its employees that it would close its piston engine division permanently. The company decided to focus on the turbine engine, leaving the piston market relatively un-serviced. While some saw the change as an indication that the piston market was fading in favour of the more profitable turbine market, Alvin saw it differently. A long time employee of Standard Aero and recently turned independent parts broker, Alvin knew there was plenty of room for growth. “I spent a lot of time in the trenches making deals with Standard and later on my own. There was a lot going on. It was an exciting time.”
When Standard Aero employees were unable to raise the capital required to move the business forward, Alvin decided to risk it all. “When Standard Aero’s President asked how I would finance the venture, I told him that I would mortgage the house, the wife and kids. That’s all he wanted to hear.”
There was risk all around the new venture, a select group of highly skilled employees choosing to join Alvin instead of accepting a different job at Standard. The group saw Alvin’s vision as one that would make real difference in the piston market, and not unlike Alvin, their belief was strong enough to make a change. “I knew it was worth it, so did the guys,” Alvin said. “I also knew that if we were going to be successful, we were going to have to establish our own identity in the piston engine market as a company that delivers quality and service.”
Operating under a new brand, Aero Recip, Alvin and his team earned the opportunity to prove themselves with a small group of customers. Hard work, skilled attention to detail, and timely delivery of results enabled the company to grow past tough times into a thriving business.
Alvin’s wheeling and dealing didn’t stop there, expanding throughout the 90’s beyond the company’s exclusive focus on engines. In 1993, he invested in Ultimate Oil Coolers, a specialty overhaul service that operates out of the Winnipeg plant in 1,400 square feet of space.
After recognizing an increase in customer demand for aviation related products and services, Alvin guided the company into the aviation parts business, mobile heater business, and the experimental aircraft sector. In the early nineties, Alvin also took Aero Recip into Alaska, bringing the company’s family based approach into a market that still grows today.
Making the right decision at the right time as it relates to the company’s future has always been Alvin Gregorash’s trademark, a decision he now shares with daughter Tracey at his side. After investing in the family name to reflect the company’s diverse offering, Alvin and Tracey chose to go back to the foundation that built the company in the first place: Aero Recip.
Recent growth in the demand for piston engine overhauls, exchanges, and repairs has only enhanced Aero Recip’s commitment to piston engines, cylinders, oil coolers, and accessories. As always the Aero Recip brand inspires a continued commitment to the success story we’ve proudly built through service, quality and respect, and through our relentless loyalty to the aviation piston engines that got us off the ground way back in 1988.
Sky Scrapin’ – The Past, Present and Future
Sky Scrapin is a three-part true story fictionalized about Aero Recip Canada Ltd. Featured in the series is highlights of the investment, the struggle, and the pay-off, each a building block to Aero Recip’s entrepreneurial journey.
The Sky Scrapin’ Soundtrack is featured in each Mini-Movie on the sidebar. Click below to hear the full song!
Click below for the Sky Scrapin’ Soundtrack:
Video Gallery
LYCOMING CUTAWAY
PRATT & WHITNEY
CUTAWAY
CONTINENTAL
CUTAWAY
SHOP TOUR
ARCHIVE
DYNO TEST CELL
ARCHIVE
TFTBO
ARCHIVE
