International Logistics Systems, Incorporated (ILS-INC) first major milestone was its award of a contract from York International (now part of Johnson Controls) to provide integrated logistics support (ILS) on a significant naval systems project. ILS-INC founder and President Mr. Walter Grinnell credits York International’s Mr. A. L. Hershey for this opportunity. “We were very small,” but because of this contract, ILS-INC was able to become established in its industry. ILS-INC later worked with York International for various A/C plants for Navy ships for several years.
From this initial success, ILS-INC continued to develop teaming relationships, working as subcontractor alongside Mr. Bob Pressley of EG&G Technical Services and Mr. Scott Meyers of General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS). These professional relationships continue. ILS-INC remains heavily involved with EG&G and GDRS and is aggressively continues to expand its customer base. Jason Coon, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) manager at ILS-INC, said, “We’ve become diversified in who we work with as others find out who we are and what we do.”
“Our biggest marketing tool is our customers,” Mr. Grinnell said. Through its networking relationships, ILS-INC has worked on such notable contracts as the Semi-Autonomous Robotic Technology Integration (SARTI), Mobile Detection Assessment Response System (MDARS), and Ground Standoff Minefield Detection System (GSTAMIDS). ILS-INC has developed an exceptional reputation with its prime contractors as well as the Government Program Offices for providing quality products delivered on schedule for a low cost.
ILS-INC was the subcontractor to GDRS for the System Design and Development (SDD) phase of MDARS. ILS-INC was responsible for the technical documentation, training, and supportability engineering and now further supports these aspects of MDARS through the Production phase. Ed Held, who has been a technical illustrator at ILS-INC for six years, said, “You can see how far that’s progressed.” MDARS was the first program he worked on at the company; some of his illustrations were the original for the program. As he pointed out, “Anything seen now in the Production phase, that’s our stuff.”
In 2004, ILS-INC expanded its operations to train soldiers on GSTAMIDS and Buffalo. “It was a major stepping stone for the company,” said Christopher Aspey, a technical writer/trainer who supported the project. Aspey described the experience as inspiring. “Everything we had done up until that was just on paper. This was actually putting it into application, into the soldiers’ hands.” Aspey was joined by Michal Grinnell who said much the same. “I believe a lot of our employees had a great sense of importance in our efforts and a great sense of pride in the work we provided to our troops when they really needed support.”
As M. Grinnell reported, “We were sent to provide soldiers with equipment to help do their jobs and keep them safe. We helped to deliver, setup, train, and support initial operations.” Both Aspey and M. Grinnell felt the training was well received. “The soldiers thought the equipment was worthwhile and applicable to what they were doing,” Aspey said. “They were happy with the technology that was brought over and found it extremely beneficial.” M. Grinnell said ILS-INC’s success was recognized by customers and soldiers alike.
The experience has had a lasting impact. “It was the first time I had dealt with the troops,” Aspey said. “It gave me more respect for the job they do and the need for the equipment we’re working on. Everything that I do now is influenced by what a soldier does and how he does it.” Similarly, M. Grinnell remarked, “I have come to appreciate the job we provide to the government and, more importantly, to the soldier in the field. I was able to see the positive effects being made and the pride in our soldiers in the work they were doing. It gave me first-hand experience in the effects we as a company can have on so many lives that depend on us to provide the best support for them to safely understand, learn, maintain, and effectively utilize the equipment provided to them. Everyday I look forward to working with our customers in meeting these challenges and improving support.”
ILS-INC’s direct soldier support efforts have since opened new doors for the company. Most recently, ILS-INC was awarded a multi-million dollar subcontract for the Advanced Medium Mobile Power Sources (AMMPS) program. Cale, who is program manager for AMMPS, said the program has brought ILS-INC a lot of growth. “It’s an all-encompassing logistics effort,” he remarked.
Most recently, beginning in 2008, ILS-INC secured a series of important projects operating out of the U.S. Army's Tank-automotive Armaments Command (TACOM) and Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) providing various integrated logistics support for the interrogator arm assembly (IAA), mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, and construction equipment programs such as the Bituminous Material Paving Machine (BMPM).