CAGE Codes:

08UK8                                                   0A0W5                                                  0B2P2                                                    0CDA3

0CP23                                                    0HBR4                                                   0HPV1                                                   0JJK0

0M9N3                                                 0NAW3                                                 11951                                                    12455

18486                                                    0PTF8                                                    0W7X1                                                  1B993

Operating Segments: Aerospace, Semiconductors, Computers, and Music

HQ: Euclid, Ohio, United States

Partner: Fujitsu Ltd.

About TRW Inc.

TRW Inc.’s story first began in 1901 when David Kurtz, along with four other Cleveland residents, formed the Cleveland Cap Screw Company. Initially, their products consisted of bolts that were welded to shafts, though they soon began to manufacture automobile engine valves which proved to be extremely lucrative. By 1915, they stood as the largest producer of valves in the United States and thus Charles Thompson, who had originally adapted their process to manufacturing valves, became the general manager of the company. In 1926, Charles Thompson renamed the company to Thompson Products.

From the 1930’s and during WWII and the Korean War, TRW produced high performance valves for racing engines, as well as served as a manufacturer of aircraft engine components. During the 1950’s, the company and their subsidiaries studied guided missiles, such as ICBMs, and worked alongside the United States Airforce to provide technology. In 1958, Thompson Products merged with Ramo-Wooldridge to form Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc., or “TRW”.

From the 1960’s and into the early 2000’s, TRW saw many ventures and restructuring of their business and subsidiaries, leading to new market operations in computers and monitors, credit reporting, and technical strategic reconnaissance. By 1986, TRW was 57th on the Fortune 500 list and operated in over 25 countries across the world. In 2002 however, Northrop Grumman began contending with BAE systems and General Dynamics for acquiring TRW Inc. Later that year in July, Northrop’s offer was accepted and TRW Inc. was acquired.

Products, Services, and Platforms

• Aerospace: Notable aerospace products of TRQ included spacecraft for space exploration, space observatories, satellites, and rocket engines.
• Semiconductors and Computers: TRW worked on various electronics and components including all-transistor computers, logic gates, semiconductors, and computers.
• Music: TRW has a subsidiary, Bel Canto Stereophonic Recordings, which served as a record label from the 1950’s to 1960’s.

Subsidiaries/Partners

TRW Inc. partnered with Fujitsu Ltd. in 1980 for a joint venture for maintenance work on POSs. TRW Inc.’s subsidiaries included those such as CAV, Girling, LucasVarity Automotive, and Lucas Aerospace.

Competitors

TRW Inc.’s competitors included Takata, AASA, Autoliv, Delphi, MAPSA, Johnson Controls, AAAS, MAPA, Auto Care and KSS.