AIAC, EUROFOIL, AND BRADFORD SPACE CELEBRATE AT LUXEMBOURG HOUSE
For Immediate Release
December 3, 2024 - New York, NY L. M. Levie, Chairman of AIAC and its Luxembourg affiliates Eurofoil and Bradford Space, joined the Holiday celebration at the Luxembourg Consulate at 17 Beekman Place in New York on December 3. Mr. Levie warmly greeted Consul General Luc Decker, his associates, and fellow members of the Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce, the co-hosts for the event.
Mr. Michel R. Frank, President of the Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce, and Consul General Decker welcomed guests. He also introduced Kit Callahan, granddaughter of James Forestall, Secretary of Navy and Secretary of Defense under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and Edward Emmet, grandson of composer and lyricist Irving Berlin. James Forestall and Irving Berlin were the prior owners of the stately Manhattan mansion now owned by Luxembourg. The Luxembourg Consulate, Trade Office, and Mission to the United Nations are housed in the elegant building, located two blocks from the UN General Assembly Building.
Following a reception which included regional wine and cider, guests were treated to a medley of songs from the musical Call Me Madam, by Irving Berlin, performed by Luxembourg performer Adrienne Haan along with baratones Aron Theno and Richard Danley. Ms. Haan explained the numerous connections between Irving Berlin and the Duchy of Luxembourg, noting that his Broadway musical, Call me Madam, was inspired by the life of Perle Mesta, an Oklahoma oil heiress who became a legendary Washington DC socialite (the “Hostess with the Mostest”) and was appointed by President Truman as US Ambassador to Luxembourg. The musical entertainment ended with Adrienne Haan leading guests in a rousing chorus of White Christmas, the most popular song of all time, composed by Irving Berlin in 1940.
Guests were then escorted upstairs for dinner and desserts.
AIAC Chairman Levie remarked, “I was delighted to once again see our dear friends at Luxembourg House. Consul General Luc Decker, Consul Marc Padjan, and Executive Assistant Sandrine Copitch were perfect hosts, along with Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce President Michel Frank, Executive Director Toni Dutsak, and Director of Events and Communications Janet Maurillo. Adrienne Haan and Richard Danley’s homage to Irving Berlin was magnificent. They are all vigorous advocates for Luxembourg.”
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https://www.laccnyc.org/photos/set/100/
About American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) is a diversified industrial group with manufacturing and distribution sites in 24 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. AIAC has acquired and grown non-core subsidiaries and divisions of Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Johnson Controls, Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Visteon, Carlyle, Ahlstrom, Tolko, Groupe Suez, Groupe Rexel, and many other leading multinational corporations.
AIAC companies serve companies and governmental entities worldwide in all major sectors, including aviation, space, defense, automotive, truck, rail, marine, petrochemical, solar, nuclear, food, confectionary, beverage, civil engineering and infrastructure, commercial construction, mining, dredging, disaster relief, education, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. AIAC companies manufacture materials, components, assemblies, packaging, equipment, and finished products. In addition, AIAC companies are exclusive, authorized distributors of leading branded industrial and consumer products throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. AIAC is a leading manufacturer of building, street, and highway signage in Europe, signage and illumination structures in North America, and a distributor of electrical products throughout France.
Of note, AIAC purchased Boeing Canada in 2005 and has produced over 10,000 unique components for every Boeing jet plane ever since, reliably serving Boeing from manufacturing facilities in North America. A leader in ultra-high precision jet engine component manufacturing, AIAC companies produce 2,200 fan blades and blisks for each jet engine produced by GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, and Honeywell. AIAC companies produce the critical automotive wire and cable for Tesla, GM, Ford, Chrysler- Fiat, Toyota, and Nissan. In connection with its kraft paper manufacturing interests in Canada and the US, AIAC controls and sustainably manages 22 million acres of Manitoba, Canada forestland, an area equivalent in size to the nation of Hungary.
AIAC companies actively support exploration into outer space, manufacturing critical components for launching and propelling spacecraft and satellites. AIAC customers in this sector include NASA, the European Space Agency, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing. AIAC companies also lead in the design and manufacture of undersea umbilical cables for worldwide oceanographic research.
Another AIAC affiliate, located in Germany, designs, manufactures and distributes high performance emergency portable power generators required during natural disasters, including extreme climate events worldwide. Clients include government agencies and the International Red Cross.
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About AIAC Philanthropy
AIAC and the AIAC Foundation support a wide range of nonprofit, nonsectarian, bipartisan organizations which promote international conflict resolution, disaster relief, economic development, environmental sustainability, and exploration. The exploration-focused nonprofit organizations which they actively support include the Explorers Club, the National Geographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society, the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Space Society, and the United States Space Foundation.
In recent months, AIAC Companies have proudly served as a corporate sponsor of Hubert Sagniere’s historic circumnavigation of the earth in a single-engine plane (www.flightaroundtheglobe.com).
AIAC’s other beneficiaries include the Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation Inc., the Asia Society, the Atlantic Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Gates Philanthropy Partners, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Carter Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of New York, the Foreign Policy Association, the Institut Française des Relations Internationales, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Crisis Group, the International Rescue Committee, the Japan Society, the JFK School of Government of Harvard University, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Sierra Club, and the Trilateral Commission.
For further information, pleaes see:
https://www.aiac.com/our-values
About Eurofoil
Eurofoil is a prominent player in the global aluminum foil and packaging industry. The company specializes in the production and transformation of aluminum products, offering a wide array of solutions for various sectors such as food packaging, automotive, and industrial applications. With over 60 years of expertise, Eurofoil has earned a reputation for producing high-quality products, including flexible packaging materials, food containers, and insulation products for the automotive industry.
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Eurofoil operates manufacturing plants in France and Luxembourg, where it employs cutting-edge technology and adheres to stringent environmental standards. The company is particularly focused on sustainability, aligning its operations with global environmental best practices. Eurofoil has achieved ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system, ensuring that it minimizes its environmental footprint through measures like air and water quality preservation and comprehensive use of recycled aluminum.
Eurofoil's commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental stewardship. The company is dedicated to social and economic responsibility, striving to balance economic growth with improving the quality of life for current and future generations. This commitment is reflected in the company's environmental initiatives and its ongoing efforts to meet the highest safety and health standards for both consumers and workers.
Additionally, Eurofoil is a member of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), which focuses on promoting responsible production practices across the aluminum supply chain. Through this membership, Eurofoil participates in a framework that encourages transparency and sustainability, underscoring its dedication to responsible sourcing and production.
With its extensive history and focus on both quality and sustainability, Eurofoil remains a leader in the aluminums industry, providing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its diverse customer base.
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About Bradford Space
Bradford Space, founded in 1984, is a prominent aerospace company specializing in spacecraft propulsion and avionics systems. With operations in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the company is focused on developing high-performance propulsion technologies, particularly for small satellites and deep-space missions. Notably, Bradford's Comet propulsion system, which uses water as a propellant, is a key product in their portfolio. This technology is recognized for its safety, ease of use, and performance, and is used on various Earth observation satellites and other space missions.
Bradford Space's design capabilities extend across avionics, propulsion systems, and satellite integration, offering modular avionics systems suitable for deep-space missions and high-performance small satellites. The company has developed over 100 space-qualified systems and components, with a strong emphasis on non-toxic propulsion and efficient, cost-effective technologies. They provide propulsion, attitude control systems, and high-power electronics for both commercial and institutional space projects. Bradford Space has well over 2,000 products in space and more launching monthly.
Its major customers include large aerospace companies and space agencies such as Airbus Defense & Space, Boeing, Thales Alenia Space, Moog, Planet, Redwire, European Space Agency, Swedish Space Agency, JAXA and NASA. Additionally, companies like HawkEye 360 and LeoStella (a joint venture of Spaceflight Industries and Thales Alenia Space) are using Bradford's propulsion systems for their satellites.
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About Luxembourg House
17 Beekman Place, located in the exclusive Beekman Place neighborhood of Manhattan, boasts a rich history that reflects the evolution of the area from its aristocratic roots to its status as a haven for New York's elite. Beekman Place itself, a small residential enclave along the East River, is named after the Beekman family, one of New York's prominent 18th-century clans. The family’s estate, which once dominated the area, included a mansion that served as George Washington's temporary headquarters during the Revolutionary War. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the neighborhood transitioned from sprawling estates to the elegant townhouses that define it today.
The townhouse at 17 Beekman Place was built in the early 20th century by James Forrestal, a notable financier and naval officer who later became the first United States Secretary of Defense. The home’s refined design and luxurious details reflect Forrestal’s vision for sophisticated urban living. In 1947, the property was purchased by the legendary songwriter Irving Berlin and his wife, Ellin.
Berlin, one of America’s most celebrated composers, found inspiration within the walls of 17 Beekman Place, where he wrote the Broadway Musical and later movie “Call Me Madam” and the song "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)." The home served not only as a residence but also as a creative haven for Berlin’s unparalleled contributions to American music.
Beekman Place has long attracted notable residents who have left their mark on the neighborhood’s storied past. The writer Clare Boothe Luce, an influential playwright, politician, and ambassador, called Beekman Place home, as did socialite and philanthropist Mary Lasker, who played a key role in advancing public health initiatives. Fashion designer Halston also lived in the area, adding a touch of glamour to its history. In the Broadway musical Mame, 2 Beekman Place was fictionalized as the home of the flamboyant Auntie Mame, further cementing the neighborhood’s image as an enclave for the elite. Literary and artistic works by figures like Truman Capote and Edith Wharton have also referenced the neighborhood, highlighting its cultural and historical significance. William S. Paley, the founder of CBS; socialite and designer Gloria Vanderbilt; and singer Tom Jones were also residents of the street.
In 1990, 17 Beekman Place took on a new role, in international diplomacy. The government of Luxembourg purchased the townhouse, transforming it into the Luxembourg Consulate, its Trade and Investment Office, and its Mission to the United Nations. This transition from private residence to a hub for international relations added yet another layer to the building’s storied past, symbolizing its enduring prestige and significance on both a local and global scale.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_House