Essex Industries

Essex Industries makes platform controls, aircraft components and oxygen equipment for aerospace and defense customers from its base in St. Louis, Missouri.

The company has been in business since 1947. It runs five production facilities across the United States, from coast to coast. Together they offer more than 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Essex says customers know it for personal service, engineered solutions and strong manufacturing skills.

Platform controls and aircraft components are a core line. Essex builds control grips and sticks for both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft. Examples include the F-16 sidestick control grip, the KC-46 telescoping control stick grip and a throttle grip for the IA-63 Pampa. The company also makes controls for ground combat vehicles.

Liquid oxygen equipment is another major area. Essex makes LOX converters in 5, 7, 10, 25 and 75 liter sizes. Some are fixed installations and some are removable. It also makes valves for cryogenic systems, including an anti-gravity valve and a cryogenic relief valve. A separate range covers air medical liquid oxygen equipment.

Emergency breathing products include protective breathing equipment. The company also lists the Backpack Medical Oxygen System, with its own filling station, and the Next Generation Portable Therapeutic LOX System. Wall outlet oxygen products are part of the range as well.

Essex also offers build-to-print manufacturing, which means making parts to a customer's own design. It provides maintenance, repair and overhaul work too.

The company works on defense programs. In July 2026 it was selected to supply flame arrestors for the US Army MV-75 Cheyenne FLRAA program. It was also selected for a next-generation US defense aircraft program. Essex shows its products at events such as the Air Carrier Purchasing Conference, AUSA, NBAA-BACE, KADEX and the C-130 and F-15 technical reviews.

Services

• Platform controls
• Aircraft components
• Liquid oxygen equipment
• Emergency breathing equipment
• Build-to-print manufacturing
• Maintenance, repair and overhaul
• Rotor-wing controls
• Fixed-wing controls
• Ground combat vehicle controls
• Medical oxygen systems