Company History

Andrew Marvel, an engineer from the U.S. Navy and Tom McGregor, a businessman from Washington, DC, started the Marvel Manufacturing Company in Passaic, NJ in 1946.

Andrew Marvel was experimenting with different methods of static balancing of aircraft propellers. The only method in use at the time was the relatively crude and imprecise knife-edge balancing method. He designed a novel method that utilized a flexible solid suspension element housed in a shaft that was hung vertically. Tom McGregor partnered with Andrew Marvel to provide the business expertise and capital to develop and market the product to the U.S. Military and commercial aircraft companies.

Initially, the company's balancing equipment was used solely for the static balancing of propellers. In 1946, the Bell Helicopter Model 47 was the first helicopter certified in the United States for commercial flight by the FAA. Consequently, Marvel Manufacturing Company began to develop and market static balancing equipment for helicopter rotors. Several patents were filed and awarded by the US Patent Office for Marvel Manufacturing's innovative static balancing designs.

Andrew Marvel eventually retired and sold his interest in the concern to Tom McGregor. McGregor subsequently incorporated the company in 1961 as a closely held corporation. Marvel Manufacturing remains a family business and is currently owned by McGregor's two daughters: Linda Byron and Gail Fearing. Although aircraft rotor and prop balancing remain the foundation of Marvel's business, diversified applications have included the balancing of jet turbines, industrial fans and Land Craft Air Cushion propellers.

Manufacturing facilities are currently located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Marvel continues to actively work with manufacturers to develop new static balancing applications to meet the changing needs of the aeronautics industry and our Armed Forces.

Home