Taylor Devices, Inc. Annual Report 2023

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FY2023 Annual Report · Taylor Devices, Inc.

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ANNUAL
REPORT

 FY 2023 Recap


Improvements in
Operations
 Corporate Data
 Meet the BOD
 8 Willis Street

Building Retrofit
 Taylor Damped
Moment Frame
 Predator Drone
MQ-9 Reaper
 Financial Report

2023

8
WILLIS
STREET
Wellington,
New Zealand

90 Taylor Drive | 1 Buffalo Bolt Way, North Tonawanda, New York 14120
Telephone: 716.694.0800 | Fax: 716.695.6015
www.taylordevices.com

Photo courtesy: Front cover image supplied by Architect Plus. Andy Spain | Photographer

https://architectureplus.co.nz/commercial/1071/8-willis-street

Bottom right: Taylor Devices – Dawn Bystrzak | Photographer
Bottom center: U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson - https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000667547
Bottom right: 8Willis-Beca | https://www.beca.com/what-we-do/projects/buildings/8-willis-street

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To our Shareholders,

Fiscal year 2023 was an exceptionally good year for our Company as our Team’s disciplined adherence to, and
execution of, our prioritized growth and improvement campaigns resulted in the following achievements for FY23:

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New record high full-year Bookings of $49.1M (prior record was $35M in FY21 with the average over the past
eight fiscal years of $29M).
New record high full-year Sales of $40.2M (prior record was $35.7M in FY16 with the average over the past
eight fiscal years of $29M).
This has us entering FY24 with a Backlog of $32.5M, which is the highest in the company’s history (prior
record was $25.2M as we entered FY16 with the average over the past eight fiscal years of $20M).
New record high full-year Net Income of $6.3M/15.6% of sales (prior record was $4.2M/11.8% of sales in
FY16 with the averages over the past eight fiscal years at $2.3M/8% of sales).
New record high Customer On-Time Delivery of 89%.
Facilities and Equipment investment of $3.4M in support of our targeted future growth.
Research & Development investment of over $1M in support of our targeted future growth.
18 new members were added to our TDI Team in FY23 in support of our targeted growth.

While all
three of our customer-facing product groups: Aerospace/Defense, Structural, and Industrial, contributed
significantly to our results, our Aerospace/Defense product group had a particularly strong year finishing with bookings at
$30.2M, which is more than double the prior record of $14.1M set in FY17, and well above the average over the past
eight fiscal years of $11.2M per year. Additionally, sales finished at $15.6M, also exceeding the previous record of
$12.4M set in FY21 and well above the average over the past eight fiscal years of $11.2M. Our Structural and Industrial
product group’s full-year bookings and sales levels were improved year-on-year while also finishing above their
respective averages for bookings and sales over the past eight years thus continuing the favorable market diversity that
we enjoy.

The significantly improved profitability of our business is a testament to the great work our Cross-Functional Team is
doing to drive waste out of our processes as they work together to solve our customers' most difficult shock and vibration
challenges with our elegantly innovative custom-engineered products that we then manufacture, validate and supply on
time.

The steady increase of the sales order backlog as we entered our most recent three fiscal years: $22M at the start of
FY22, $23.7M at the start of FY23, and $32.5M at the start of FY24, while sales increased from FY22 to FY23, shows
that our growth campaigns with supporting actions are more effective than not, which is encouraging.

While the challenges presented by the Pandemic are substantially behind us, raw material availability, supply chain
performance and recruitment of talent to support our continuing growth remain at the forefront of the risks that our team
is actively mitigating and managing as we invest in our people, technology, processes and facilities which we expect will
continue to serve us well in FY24 and beyond.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Sopko
Chief Executive Officer
Taylor Devices Inc.

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“The steady increase of our sales order backlog as we entered each of our most recent three fiscal
years concurrent with increasing year-on-year sales shows that our growth campaigns with
supporting actions are working.” – Timothy Sopko

Dear Shareholders,

In my letters to shareholders over the last several years, I have discussed the positive changes that have been
implemented throughout the Company. Those letters focused on stating our aggressive plans for increasing sales and
profitability through key initiatives within all areas of the Company. I am quite pleased to see that those efforts have
produced positive and consistent results, particularly since the challenges of the pandemic have faded.

We finished the year with a record backlog of $32.5M after reporting a “healthy” level of $23.7M one year ago. This is
54% higher than the quarterly reported average backlog over the last 2 years. This improvement in backlog is due to the
increase in bookings among each of our three product groups which is a result of our team’s efforts in our focused sales
campaigns. After reporting a strong finish last year with $32.5 million in total bookings, this year we broke a Company
record by substantially improving to $49.1 million. This includes $3.4M for Industrial Products, $15.5M for Structural
Products, and a record by far of $30.2M for Aerospace & Defense Products. We continue to support many mature
programs in the Aerospace & Defense sectors while being awarded several new development programs by new and old
customers alike that we hope will provide sustained revenue for years to come.

Throughout this period of recording increased bookings, we are continuing to build our Business Development & Sales
and Program Management Staff to manage and improve upon our planned growth, in addition to all the improvements
we have made in Operations. Our strategies are working at all levels, and we look to maintain our plans for long-term
profitable growth.

Featured in this report is a project that was successfully retrofitted with our seismic dampers in Wellington, New Zealand.
Although the majority of our opportunities for Structural Products are within the US, we do target some key areas in
seismic zones overseas. The building in Wellington at 8 Willis Street was originally built with eight stories in the 1980s.
Now, at thirteen stories, it boasts a seismic rating of 130 percent. This is an example of a successful upgrade of an older
building to meet current building codes, as opposed to demolishing it and building a new one. Consequently, this type of
retrofit reduces its carbon footprint while improving its resiliency during large earthquakes, a rising consideration in
today’s world.

Another featured project is the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft. From the family of Predator Drones, this aircraft
is manufactured by General Atomics - Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and has demonstrated stellar success for
years. Back in 2007, Taylor Devices began to develop a new family of maintenance-free landing gear shock absorbers
for use on Predator aircraft. Our shock absorbers were successfully qualified and immediately accepted by GA-ASI. We
have enjoyed continuous production of these products ever since and the design has been adapted for use on several
other aircraft as well.

As always, we are proud to be a part of many mature programs that support our nation’s defense while also helping to
make buildings safer in earthquake zones. Today, Taylor Devices is experiencing a period of record sales and record
profitability. We are using our past successes to build an even brighter future through strategic capital expenditures,
hiring key employees, improved business development processes, aggressive research & development, and improved
efficiencies in our manufacturing processes.

I am also happy to report that with the effects of the pandemic fading away, we will be returning to a physical AGM after
three years of holding virtual meetings. Please join us at the October meeting where we will present some of the great
progress we have made this year.

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Sincerely,

TAYLOR DEVICES, INC.

Alan Klembczyk
President

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“I am quite pleased to see that those efforts have produced positive and consistent results,
particularly since the challenges of the pandemic have faded.” – Alan Klembczyk

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Fiscal Year 23 saw the continuation of Taylor Devices’ Operational Excellence Journey, improving year over year in the
following areas:

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Assembled, Tested, and Shipped $ 40.2m in Revenue, a Taylor Record and a 30% increase from FY22.
Achieved a Customer Order On-Time Delivery of 89%, a Taylor Record and a 4% improvement from FY22 Q4
OTD.
Achieved Past Due Customer Order lines monthly average of 9, a 47% reduction from FY22 monthly average.
Reduced Employee turnover by 25% from FY22.
Reduced our Environmental Impact from inter-campus deliveries by 9% from FY22.

The entire Taylor Team pulled together to achieve these results, enabled by better systems, processes, and training.
Our Continuous Improvement Program underpins our journey and the FY23 projects found below represent just some of
the teams’ accomplishments:

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Damper Cylinder and Piston Head Manufacturing Cells operational, supporting Future State Customer
Demand of 1 Structural Damper per hour.
Large and Small Assembly Cells operational, supporting Future State Customer Demand of 1 Structural
Damper per hour.
Commissioned Criket machine for product masking/painting, reducing the Cycle Time of the operation.
Implemented 100+ machining set up/run time/cleaning/packaging improvements to reduce labor time.
Conducted 8 Job Safety Analysis (JSA) events and implemented ergonomic devices and safety improvements
as a result.
Commissioned Superfinishing Machine resulting in a 50% reduction in process time for Damper Piston Rods.
Supplied Air Respirator system implemented, providing our paint operators with the best respiratory PPE
available.
Implemented ‘Shop Guru’ across the machine shop, a software designed to improve setup reduction.
Fluid fill equipment was purchased and piloted for smaller dampers, allowing for a faster fill rate.
Plastic banding guns utilized for Structural Packaging and at Buffalo Bolt allowing for safer and faster banding.
Increased our stored energy capacity on our Structural Tester by 30%, adding to our world-class testing
capabilities.
3’ Paint Wand operational, resulting in paint cycle time improvements.
A dozen employees trained on Root Cause Problem Solving and Lean Tools, knowledge evidenced through
completed improvement projects.

Our Fiscal Year 2023 Operational Results are underpinned by a relentless focus on the vital few projects that support our
company’s long-range strategic plan, the never-ending drive to improve each and every day, and an engaged workforce
that is committed to our customers and each other. We are well positioned to support Taylor Devices' profitable growth
plan, to the delight of our shareholders, our customers, and our team members.

Sincerely,

TAYLOR DEVICES, INC.

Todd Avery
Vice President, Operations

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“We are well positioned to support Taylor Devices’ profitable growth plan, to the delight of our
shareholders, our customers, and our team members.” – Todd Avery

IMPROVEMENTS
IN OPERATIONS

New Mazak
Machine
and
Workspace

Grind Master
Machine

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Photo courtesy: Taylor Devices, Inc.
Dawn Bystrzak | Photographer

IMPROVEMENTS
IN OPERATIONS

Structural
Assembly
Area

Packaging &
Shipping

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Paint
Department

Aerospace
Assembly
Area

Photo courtesy: Taylor Devices, Inc.
Dawn Bystrzak | Photographer

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Dear Shareholders,

Fiscal year 2023 financial performance took a nice step forward from the 2022 post-pandemic rebound. Revenue was up
30% overall with only slight shifts in the splits by end customers. All customer segments were up at least 25% from the
prior year. The Business Development and Sales team, which has been built out with internal resources less reliant on
outside representatives, along with Engineering support, continued to expand the pipeline and capture new customer
opportunities. We remain committed to profitable growth and continue to be diligent about which opportunities to pursue.
increased to 81% versus 76% in the prior year as non-domestic
Domestics sales as a percentage of
opportunities continue to be quite competitive. The year-end backlog position is up 37% from the prior period and is
weighted towards aerospace/defense customers at 81% vs.19% for commercial customers.

the total

Gross Profit, which increased to $16.1 million, or 40% of sales, from $9.6 million, or 31% of sales in fiscal year 2022,
was favorably impacted by higher levels of Sales activity in addition to more informed value proposition and cost
positions at the time of bid, which resulted in more optimized price and cost performance. Management of costs through
the manufacturing cycle has been facilitated by recent capital investment. 2023 Capital expenditures were $3.4 million
with a focus on machinery and equipment in support of minimizing the impact from material availability, cost, and
these variables has resulted in more consistent period-to-period
headcount resource variables. The mitigation of
financial performance as reflected by Sales being in excess of $9 million for each quarter in 2023.
In addition to capital
investments, we also continue to invest in Research and Development and people with an eye toward future growth.
Research and Development costs were $1.1 million in 2023. New resources were added in 2023 that increased our
capabilities in several functional areas and we’re continuing to look for talent to support 2024 and beyond.

As a result of all the above, Net Income finished at $6.3 million, or 16% of sales, versus the prior year at $2.2 million or
7% of sales. Earnings per share went up to $1.79 as compared to .64 cents in 2022.

The sales order backlog of $32.5 million as of May 31, 2023, provides a good launch point into fiscal year 2024. Our
strong balance sheet will enable us to invest in capital, research and development, and people in support of our pursuit
of sustained profitable growth.

Sincerely,

TAYLOR DEVICES, INC.

Paul Heary
Chief Financial Officer

“Our strong balance sheet will enable us to invest in capital, research and development, and people in
support of our pursuit of sustained profitable growth.” – Paul Heary

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TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Computershare Investor Services
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
800-522-6645
www.computershare.com

FINANCIAL REPORT—BY WRITTEN REQUEST
A copy of the financial report on form 10-K can be obtained by written request to the attention of Paul Heary, CFO
at Taylor Devices, Inc., 90 Taylor Drive, North Tonawanda, New York 14120.

MARKET INFORMATION—2023
The Company's Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market of the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") stock market under the symbol TAYD. The high and low sales
information noted below for the quarters of the fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023 were obtained from NASDAQ.

HOLDERS
As of May 31, 2023, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Taylor Devices Common Stock was
3,520,442 and the number of record holders of the Company's Common Stock was 406. A substantial number of
shares of Taylor Devices Common Stock are held in street name. The Company believes that the total number of
beneficial owners of its Common Stock is less than 2,100.
No cash or stock dividends have been declared during the last two fiscal years. The Company plans to retain cash
in the foreseeable future to fund working capital needs.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING—2023
Taylor Devices’ Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held (in person only) on Friday, October 20, 2023,
beginning at 11:00 a.m. The meeting location: Hyatt Place, 5020 Main Street, Amherst, New York 14226.
Hyatt Place Website: www.hyattplacebuffaloamherst.com.

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
Cyclorama Building
369 Franklin Street
Buffalo, New York 14202-1702

GENERAL COUNSEL
Barclay Damon, LLP
Barclay Damon Tower
125 East Jefferson Street
Syracuse, New York 13202

EXTENDED LEADERSHIP TEAM
MEGAN BRANT | Accounting Supervisor
DAWN BYSTRZAK | Executive Assistant
NATHAN CANNEY | Director of Structural Engineering
ROBERT CONRAD | Director of Continuous Improvement
TIMOTHY DEWIEL | Production Control Manager
KONRAD ERIKSEN | Structural Products Sales Director
ANDREA GREEN | Production Control and Receiving Manager
STEVEN HARDING | Maintenance Manager
DONALD HORNE | Chief Engineer
CHARLES KETCHUM III | Quality Assurance Manager
MARK LEMKE | Protective Coatings Manager
BRIAN LOWICKI | Director of Programs and Program Management
NICHOLAS MARSOLAIS | Director of Supply Chain
ERIC ROTH | Scholl Operations Manager—Test Supervision
WILLIAM STREAMS | Machine Shop Manager
COURTNEY TAYLOR | Business Development and Marketing Manager
DAVID TAYLOR | Manager of Aerospace and Defense Sales
DENNIS WARMUS | Manufacturing Engineering Manager

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(From left to right) F. Eric Armenat – Board Member, Paul Heary – CFO, Todd Avery – VP, Operations,

Timothy Sopko – CEO, Alan Klembczyk – President, Robert Carey – Board Member,

John Burgess – Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mark McDonough – Corporate Secretary

Photo courtesy: Taylor Devices, Inc.
Taylor Wienke | Photographer

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ALAN R. KLEMBCZYK—President and Board Member

Since graduating from the University of Buffalo in 1987 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Klembczyk
has held key positions in Sales, Engineering, and Executive Management at Taylor Devices. Over the last 35 years, he
has held titles of Design Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer, and Vice President of Sales & Engineering.
He later went on to be appointed President of the Company and a Member of the Board of Directors in June 2018.

Mr. Klembczyk has been responsible for establishing new Sales and Marketing policies and has been directly
involved with defining internal Company policy and strategic direction in cooperation with all levels of Taylor Devices’
Management. He was an integral part of the team that managed upgrades to the Quality System and obtained 3rd party
certification to International Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14000, and Aerospace Standard AS9100.

Mr. Klembczyk has served for many years on the Technical Advisory Group for the US Shock and Vibration
Information & Analysis Center (SAVIAC) and the Shock and Vibration Exchange (SAVE). In 2019, he received the
Distinguished Service Award from SAVE. Additionally, he has been a tutorial and course instructor for various
organizations internationally and has participated in many technical conferences and symposia. He is a founding
member and first co-chair of the Industry Partner Committee of the US Resilience Council.

Mr. Klembczyk has participated in many research projects for products for military and aerospace, industrial, and
structural applications. He has served as Program Manager for many of these projects and has worked with academia
including the University at Buffalo’s MCEER: Earthquake Engineering to Extreme Events, among others.

He has published several papers describing unique applications for structural dampers, tuned mass dampers,
vibration isolators, shock absorbers, and shock isolators, and holds US Patents for some of these components. These
papers have been published by SAVE, SAVIAC, the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM), and the Applied
Technology Council (ATC).

TIMOTHY J. SOPKO—Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

Mr. Sopko’s business experience spans more than thirty years in Aerospace (Military and Civil), Industrial, as well
as Commercial markets with a primary focus on Engineering, Product Development, Program Management, Operations,
and Business Management.

Prior to joining Taylor Devices as CEO in April 2019, Mr. Sopko was Vice President and General Manager of
Carleton Technologies Inc. (d.b.a. Cobham Mission Systems) in Orchard Park, New York, a Department of Defense
Contractor. While there, he also held the positions of General Manager, Director of Engineering and Programs, Director
of Engineering, and Director of Business Development. Under Mr. Sopko’s leadership as VP and GM, Carleton
successfully grew its annual sales from $110m to over $200m.

After nine years of Design Engineering and Program Management in the industry (1988-1997), Mr. Sopko co-
founded Comprehensive Technical Solutions Inc., a New York State S-corporation that provides product design
engineering services to companies across the United States, as well as produces and supports a portfolio of internally
funded products.

Mr. Sopko is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of The State University of New York at Buffalo where he was also
a member of The University’s Mechanical and Aerospace Dean’s Advisory Board for over 10 years. Mr. Sopko is also an
author and/or co-author of several US Patents.

PAUL HEARY—Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Heary has over twenty years of experience serving in senior financial management positions for several public
and privately owned middle market manufacturers located in Western New York. Prior to joining Taylor Devices, Inc., Mr.
technology serving the
Heary was Chief Financial Officer of Multisorb Filtration Group, a leader
pharmaceutical, food, and industrial markets. At Multisorb, Mr. Heary played a key role in guiding the company through
its 2018 sale from a private equity owner. From 2006 to 2016, he was the Senior Finance Director at Carleton
Technologies (d.b.a. Cobham Missions Systems), a global leader in technology for the aerospace and defense market.

in sorbent

Mr. Heary joined Taylor Devices in September 2022. He has BS (Accounting) and MBA degrees from The State
University of New York at Buffalo and previously held certifications for public and management accounting (CPA and
CMA).

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F. ERIC ARMENAT—Board Member

Mr. Armenat’s career has spanned more than 40 years in a variety of middle-market organizations both public and
privately owned. Mr. Armenat most recently served as President and Chief Executive officer of Multisorb Filtration Group
which he successfully spearheaded the sale of in early 2018 from a private equity owner. Multisorb is the world leader in
the active packaging industry, solving complex technical challenges in the pharmaceutical, food, and industrial markets.
From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Armenat served as President and Chief Executive Officer for several companies owned by
private equity. These companies included healthcare delivery, medical waste collection, and disposal, as well as active
packaging. He was responsible for the successful business improvement and eventual divestiture of the companies.

From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Armenat served as Chief Operating Officer of Avox Systems (Zodiac Aerospace), a leading
supplier of aircraft oxygen systems. From 1994 to 2009, he served as Vice President of Operations and then President
and General Manager of Carleton Technologies (Cobham Mission Systems), a global
leader of technology for the
military and commercial aviation markets. Mr. Armenat also worked as an Operations Management Consultant with
Ernst and Young beginning in 1984.

Mr. Armenat earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Southern Illinois University and

his MBA in Finance and Accounting from St. Bonaventure University. He proudly served in the United States Air Force.

ROBERT M. CAREY—Board Member

Mr. Carey brings over 45 years of experience ranging from general management to consultative work to the
Company. He was the General Manager of the Reichert Analytical Instruments group from 2001 to 2009. The company
manufactures and internationally sells a variety of analytical measurement
food
processing, and biotechnology research.

instruments for use in medicine,

Mr. Carey was the Principal at CMA, Ltd from 1990 to 2001. CMA, Ltd provides consulting services to the
manufacturing sector in the areas of organization, operational change and strategic planning. Mr. Carey was also a
is an international strategic planning
Partner in Decision Processes International (DPI) from 1999 to 2001. DPI
consultancy working with companies of all sizes.

In 1979, Mr. Carey joined Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. (now Integer Holdings) as North American Sales Manager. Mr.
Greatbatch held the patents for the implantable pacemaker. The eponymously named company is the world’s leader in
In 1981 Mr. Carey was named Vice President of Wilson Greatbatch and General Manager
implantable power sources.
of the Electrochem Div. Electrochem which manufactures and internationally sells high-energy batteries used in rugged
or remote environments such as space, oil and gas drilling, the military, and the ocean.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the State University of California, Long Beach and a Master
of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Carey served in the U.S. Army,
achieving the rank of Captain.

JOHN BURGESS—Chairman of the Board of Directors

Mr. Burgess gained his international strategy, manufacturing operations, and organizational development expertise
from his more than 40 years of experience with middle-market public and privately-owned companies. Mr. Burgess
served as President and CEO of Reichert, Inc., a leading provider of ophthalmic instruments, and spearheaded the
acquisition of the company from Leica Microsystems in 2002, leading the company until its sale in January 2007. Prior to
the acquisition, Mr. Burgess served as President of Leica’s Ophthalmic and Educational Division before leading the
buyout of the Ophthalmic Division and formation of Reichert, Inc.

From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Burgess was COO of International Motion Controls (IMC), a $200 million diversified
manufacturing firm. During his tenure there, he led a significant acquisition strategy which resulted in seven completed
acquisitions and sixteen worldwide businesses in the motion control market. Previously, Mr. Burgess operated a number
of companies for Moog, Inc. and Carleton Technologies, including six years spent as President of Moog’s Japanese
leader in electro-hydraulic servo
subsidiary, Nihon Moog K.K. located in Hiratsuka, Japan. Moog, Inc. is the global
control technology with a focus on the aerospace and defense sectors. It was recognized as one of The 100 Best
Companies to Work For in America by Fortune Magazine. Mr. Burgess is also a former Operating Partner of Summer
Street Capital Partners.

Mr. Burgess earned a BS in Engineering from Bath University in England, and an MBA from Canisius College

located in Buffalo, New York. Currently, Mr. Burgess is a Director of Bird Technologies of Solon, Ohio.

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8 Willis Street
Retrofit Building

STRUCTURAL
PROJECT

8 Willis Street was originally built in the 1980s
as an eight-story tower in Wellington, New
Zealand. Recent changes to the structural
building codes required that the building
undergo a retrofit to bring it up to the new
seismic standards. During the retrofit, the
developers decided to add five more stories
to the existing building, and the structural
engineer, Beca, used this opportunity to
provide a “better than code” structure,
making it one of the most resilient workspaces
in the city.

Cutting-edge structural modeling determined
that twelve Taylor Dampers were needed to
bring the building up to market-leading
seismic resiliency, and consequently reduced
costs and shortened an already minimally
invasive retrofit.

• Location: Wellington, New Zealand
• Size: 12,300m2
• Stories: 5
• Number of Dampers: 12
• Owner: Argosy Property Limited
• Structural Engineer: Beca
• General Contractor:

McKee Fehl Constructors Ltd.

Photo courtesy: Architecture Plus – Andy Spain | Photographer. https://architectureplus.co.nz/commercial/1071/8-willis-street/

Taylor Devices – Konrad Eriksen | Structural Products Sales Director

LOCATION:
WELLINGTON,
NEW ZEALAND

Taylor Devices’
Nathan Canney, PhD, PE,
Director of Structural
Engineering, investigates
the strategic installation of
twelve TDI Fluid Viscous

Dampers at the

8 Willis Street Building

The 8 Willis Street building project converted this
eight-story tower with a low 40% rating from the
National Building Standard (NBS) into a thirteen-
story modern building with an upscaled seismic
rating of 130%. Twelve 4000 kN Fluid Viscous
Dampers from Taylor Devices comprised the
seismic retrofit. The completed and fully retrofitted
building has successfully achieved the highest
Level 6 Green Star rating.

Department of Statistics was formerly located on
the Wellington Waterfront. Their building was
badly damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake
and subsequently demolished. 8 Willis Street now
welcomes both the Department of Statistics and
the Ministry of Environment as valued tenants.

To date, the 8 Willis Street building has won six
awards, including the acclaimed 2023 Wellington
Architectural Award for a Heritage building.

INDUSTRY NEWS…
Taylor Damped Moment Frame™

In case you missed the official press release in June 2023, Taylor Devices has introduced
a new process that uses the Taylor Damped Moment Frame™ (TDMF™) which simplifies
the design procedure required to incorporate exclusively Taylor Devices’ Fluid Dampers
into buildings. It integrates an alternative lateral system using Steel Special Moment
Frames equipped with supplemental damping.

The TDMF™ system was developed and validated through the International Code
Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) using the rigorous AC494 process which utilizes
collapse analysis per the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) P-695
methodology.

This new design procedure is rooted in Modal Response Spectrum Analysis alone and
removes the need to conduct Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NLTHA) to design new
steel buildings with dampers.

The process eliminates the need for peer review for damper projects and has opened the
door for engineers who may not have been familiar with NLTHA and damper design, thus
enabling their achievement of better building performance and cost savings.

Final approval from the ICC for this design procedure has been received.

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Predator Drone
MQ-9 Reaper

AEROSPACE
& DEFENSE

Taylor Devices supplies the main and nose landing
gear shock absorbers for the impressive MQ-9
Reaper. This aircraft is part of a remotely piloted
aircraft system comprising a sensor and weapon-
equipped aircraft, ground control station, satellite
link, spare equipment, and operations and
maintenance crews for deployed 24-hour missions.
The aircraft is employed primarily as an
intelligence-collection asset and secondarily
against dynamic execution targets. Given its
significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-
mode communications suite, and precision
weapons, it provides a unique capability to perform
strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against
high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets.

• Crew: 0 onboard, 2 in ground station
• Length: 36 ft 1 in (11 m)
• Wingspan: 65 ft 7 in (20 m)
• Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
• Empty weight: 4,901 lb (2,223 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,494 lb (4,760 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
• Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × 900 hp (671 kW)
• Maximum speed: 300 mph (482 km/h, 260 kn)
• Cruise speed: 194 mph (313 km/h, 169 kn)
• Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi)
• Endurance: 27 hr
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,420 m)
• Operational altitude: 25,000 ft (7.5 km)

Photo courtesy: United States Air Force – https://www.af.mil/news/Photos/igsearch/MQ-9
Photographers: Main center: Robert Brooks Bottom left: Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nunez
Bottom center: Senior Airman Christa Anderson Bottom right: Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse

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TAYLOR DEVICES, INC.
90 Taylor Drive | 1 Buffalo Bolt Way, North Tonawanda, New York 14120
Telephone: 716.694.0800 | Fax: 716.695.6015
www.taylordevices.com