Original Date: 05/19/1992
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, CONAX Florida Corporation is a leader in electro-explosive technology. This 155-personnel corporation maintains a product line in electro-explosive mechanical release systems (latch pin, nut, bolt release or cable cutting), flow control (one-way or combination valving), and stored energy release (liquid or gas) devices.

The automatically inflated life vests, Sea Water Activated Release System (SEAWARS), as well as Universal Water Activated Release Systems and automatic parachute releases developed by CONAX Florida Corporation are used by all U.S. Air Force and Navy ejection seat pilots, as well as NASA astronauts. CONAX Florida Corporation supplies automatic protective anti-drown devices and twenty, seven, and one-man, vacuum-packed life rafts. The company also produces the Deck Crew Inflator for use in the Navy's MK-1 life preserver and All Services Automatic Inflatable Utility Life Preserver. This same technology is incorporated in several systems including drone recovery and the Shuttle Solid Boosters, utilizing the Automatic Parachute Release Systems.

Fuel pressurization, shut-off and start actuation, as well as explosively actuated fuse ejectors, disconnect electrical circuitry on several torpedo systems. CONAX Florida Corporation-developed flood valves are used on both torpedoes and mines where extended submersion is needed. Communication buoys launched by submarines also use a CONAX Florida Corporation cylinder assembly for inflation.

An explosively actuated high pressure nitrogen storage and release system was designed by CONAX Florida Corporation to provide ultra-pure gases for cooling numerous IR seeker applications. These systems allow no contaminants or products of combustion to be released into the gas system after firing, which is extremely critical in cryostat usage.

CONAX Florida Corporation initiated a total quality management plan in 1987 to address quality problems that hindered the company's profitability. This four-part plan has subsequently influenced all areas of business at CONAX Florida Corporation including producibility, training, team concepts, and supplier improvement. Led by management and using this four-part quality strategy, CONAX Florida Corporation has successfully overcome the problems and evolved as an industry leader in quality and customer satisfaction. This dedication to total quality was evident in the company's philosophy and was frequently manifested in many of the practices presented to and documented by the survey team. Each of the four elements of the Total Quality Management (TQM) plan are covered separately in the report.

TABLE OF ACRONYMS
The following acronyms were used in this report:

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.