When asked to describe the primary focus of Raydon Corporation,
Chairman Don Ariel said it’s a virtual learning company. That sounds
pleasant enough, but it’s the applications that cause people to sit
up and take notice. While Raydon serves many markets, its most
compelling work is as a producer of virtual reality training
simulators for the United States military.
That used to mean flight simulators. But these days the company is
known as a world
leader in products such as “VirtualWarrior Interactive,” “Virtual
Door Gunner Trainer” and “Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer.”
The
titles alone can cause your pulse to quicken. But when you see a
graphic on the
company’s website, the eyes of a soldier are locked on a target and
you know this is not a video game. Beneath the photo of the soldier,
the text reads: “I know what the enemy is thinking, how they plan to
ambush me and most likely where. I am familiar with the streets,
buildings and terrain in a land I’ve never been to. I know the
strengths and weaknesses of my team and how they will react in any
situation.”
This is practice for a life and death situation, and Raydon is in
the business of savings lives through training.
“We are the leading provider of convoy trainers to the United States
armed services, and the largest domestic commercial source of novice
driver trainers,” said Ariel. He and partner Dave Donovan, now CEO
of the company, established Raydon in 1988 with their mentor Ray
Hockney. Hockney retired from Raydon in 2004. The three had worked
together at General Electric.
Raydon simulation systems give soldiers a realistic look at
situations they are likely to face in wartime situations. The
simulators include realistic terrain including buildings, streets,
landmarks and the enemy in predictable and ambush situations.
Soldiers are infinitely better prepared for these situations when
having “rehearsed” the scenarios in the safety of a simulation
environment, according to Ariel.
Don Ariel stands in front of a computer generated virtual view of
Baghdad, Iraq. The image is produced by virtual reality training
technology developed by his company.
The company employs about 225 people in executive, administrative,
engineering,
manufacturing, hardware and software design and advanced technology
capabilities.
While the formative years were spent defining the company’s niche,
revenues since
2004 have increased exponentially from less than $20 million to $45
million last year. With the war in Iraq still being waged, and with
other potential hotspots on the minds of military leaders, Raydon
has shored up its workforce to keep up with upwards of $40 million
in National Guard business and other new orders for training
simulators.
The company has an excellent reputation among military leaders and
has had the advocacy of U.S. Representative John L. Mica in securing
congressional
support.
Earlier this year, the Volusia County Council approved an
application leading to a $1.2-million program to support the
retention, consolidation and expansion of the company. The
initiative leverages $240,000 in county investment that is being
matched by $960,000 in state funding. The program is designed to
support defense-related companies and assist in the
commercialization of defense technologies.
All this follows a period of adjustment last year. In an effort to
improve efficiency and strengthen its financial performance, Raydon
trimmed its workforce, restructured its
operations, and overhauled its business systems. “This was necessary
to prepare for the future and to ensure controlled and sustainable
growth,” Ariel said. “It was a painful period, but we learned from
it and we are now on a solid foundation.” he said.
The company already has rehired some former employees whose jobs
were eliminated in the reorganization.
Raydon is anticipating revenues of $100 million and is consolidating
operations into one Daytona Beach complex in the foreseeable future.
The company is not just a military supplier. It also offers
commercial products, notably its interactive novice driving training
simulation systems and other driver assessment and improvement
products offered through its subsidiary, Virtual Driver Interactive
in California. Raydon and its affiliates are expanding into the
medical field. Raydon is examining the use of Virtual Reality for
assessment and treatment of cognitive disorders such as Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
