A STRONG History.
HISTORY: Founded in 1960, Strong Enterprises moved from Quincy, Massachusetts to its present location in Orlando in 1976. Combining skilled craftsmanship with production techniques and customized design capability, Strong has been an industry leader in quality and innovation, and has grown from a single sewing machine to a 20,000 square foot factory with hundreds of sewing machines and state-of-the-art parachute equipment manufacturing systems and technology.
In our history we have designed and built parachutes from four inches (stabilizing systems for larger objects in freefall) up to 64 feet in diameter.
The Strong tandem skydiving system revolutionized sport parachuting around the world.
We are the oldest and largest manufacturer of general aviation parachute equipment in the United States, and our world-wide market includes emergency parachutes for pilots and aircrew members, skydiving assemblies, tandem parachutes for training, military troop and special forces equipment, as well as other engineered textile specialty products.
The Strong brand name is recognized around the world. You can find Strong products at nearly every airport, military installation and parachute and skydiving center. Our products have flown on the early, pioneering space shuttle missions and our systems are part of the planned exploration of Mars.
CAPABILITIES: Unlike most parachute companies that make only a single component such as a harness or a canopy, we are a full-line, full-service manufacturer. Beginning with raw materials of cloth, webbing and cord, our capabilities and expertise expanded from component parts to harnesses, containers, round canopies, and ram air "square" canopies and reserves; along the way, we added ripcords, ring slots and ribbon chutes.
If it can be sewn or jumped, we can do it.
FACILITIES: We excel because we are more than just a sewing or riggers' shop: we design, test and fabricate parachutes as complete systems – and we do it all under one roof.
Using our specialized 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-needle sewing machines, including automatic, computerized, and heavy duty machines, we've made everything from one-off prototypes to production runs of thousands.
In many cases our licensed parachute riggers assemble and pack the system so it is ready for use upon receipt by the customer.
Our FAA-approved quality control system meets the requirements of FAR Part 21 and MIL-I-45208.
Our staff includes several experienced personnel with more than 25 years experience in making, rigging and using parachutes. Factory tours can be arranged.
PRODUCTS: While we do manufacture cargo chutes, stabilization drogues, recovery systems and aerial delivery equipment, the main component of our production line is personnel parachutes and tandem rigs.
• nine complete parachute systems certified to Federal Aviation Administration TSO C23b or C23c,
• 3 models of emergency bail-out parachutes
• 9 models of round canopies
• 31 different models of ram air canopies ranging from 120 square feet to 1,200 square feet
TRAINING: Our primary focus is manufacturing, but if requirements exist, we can offer beginning and advanced rigger training at our Orlando facility by special arrangement.
We also offer Tandem parachute instructor training at our Orlando plant, or at your facility through our world-wide network of Tandem examiners.
MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT: Our licensed parachute riggers stand ready to inspect and repack all parachute equipment, and if repairs are required, our maintenance personnel are equipped to perform any necessary repairs or alterations. If the volume of work warrants, we can assign temporary personnel to your facility.
If you provide drawings, samples, or just an idea, we can take your project from concept to production. We always have something on the drawing board, but we always welcome the opportunity to discuss challenging new projects.