For Additional Information Contact:
William Polacek, President & CEO: (814) 532-4116
Email: jtrabold@jwfi.com
JWF Defense Systems, LLC named Quality Supplier of the Year, Silver Supplier of the Year, and Small Business Supplier of the Year at BAE Systems’ seventh annual ‘Partner2Win’ supplier symposium
Johnstown, PA – November 20, 2025 — JWF Defense Systems, LLC received the only “Quality Supplier of the Year” award, the only “Small Business Supplier of the Year” award, and the “Silver Supplier of the Year” award at BAE Systems’ ‘Partner2Win’ supplier symposium, recognizing its exceptional performance and commitment to operational excellence this year.
JWF Systems’ contributions to supply chain success helped BAE Systems ensure quality, on-time deliveries of combat vehicles and weapon systems to the U.S. military and its allies around the world.
“The strength of our supply network is these companies. They’re more than just partners – they’re an extension of our team,” said Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of integrated operations for BAE Systems’ Combat Mission Systems business. “Their innovation, reliability, and relentless commitment to excellence fuels our ability to deliver for warfighters. This event is our way of saying thank you and celebrating the power of what we deliver together.”
The ‘Partner2Win’ program, now in its seventh year, acknowledges suppliers who excel in operations, quality, and procurement. Through this program, BAE Systems fosters close relationships with its suppliers, sharing best practices, learnings, and innovative solutions to drive mutual success. The award-winning suppliers this year have demonstrated exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality products for warfighters.
(L-R: Andy Corea, VP & GM, Combat Mission Systems, BAE; Randy Fawver, Director, Engineering Quality Assurance, BAE; John W. Polacek, VP of Programs, JWF; William C. Polacek, CEO & Chairman of the Board, JWF; Shawn Koontz, VP of Business Development, JWF; Garrett Lacaillade, VP, Integrated Operations, BAE)
Learn more about BAE Systems’ ‘Partner2Win’ supplier symposium here.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems, Inc. and its nearly 41,000 people are part of a global defense, aerospace, and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. We deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, sea and space, as well as advanced electronics, intelligence, security, and IT solutions and support services. Our dedication shows in everything we do. Inspired by the exceptional, our ambitious teams design, produce, and deliver—to protect those who protect us in a high-performance, innovative, flexible, and collaborative culture. We push the limits of possibility to provide a critical advantage to our customers where it counts.
About JWF Defense Systems
William Polacek, CEO & Chairman of the Board of JWF Industries and JWF Defense Systems, commented, “Receiving the only “Quality Supplier of the Year” award, the only “Small Business Supplier of the Year” award, and the “Silver Supplier of the Year” award at BAE Systems’ seventh annual Partner2Win Symposium is an incredible honor. These awards reflect the unwavering dedication, craftsmanship, and pride our team brings to supporting the warfighters every day. We are proud to be recognized as a top-performing small business supplier and even more proud of the people who make that possible. This reinforces our passion and purpose—Work Fighters Supporting the Warfighters®.”
JWF Defense Systems is part of JWF Industries, a metal centric product manufacturer with a wide array of capabilities in metal manufacturing located in Johnstown, PA for over 38 years. The company has over 1,300,000 square feet of manufacturing space in six locations. JWF Defense has been supporting prototypes, low volume, and high-volume build-to-print production on a variety of programs both nationally and internationally by designing, developing, and integrating programs for the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies. The company is dedicated to its employees, its communities, and its global customers in the energy, commercial, and defense industries. Additional information can be found at www.jwfi.com/defense.
About JWF Industries
JWF Industries designs, manufactures, and integrates metal centric products by growing with the right people, the right processes, the right markets, and the right customers. Capabilities include program management, engineering, laser services, welding, forming, machining, and coatings. JWF Industries and JWF Defense Systems have locations in Johnstown, PA; Baltimore, MD; and Edenton, NC.
Founder William (Bill) Polacek, CEO & Chairman of the Board of JWF Industries, started the company over 38 years ago in a two-car garage with the goal of growing the company to create local jobs. Today, the company has operating sales over $100 million. It occupies over 1.3 million square feet of manufacturing space and currently employs over 400 professionals. The company’s growth and success were achieved by developing and promoting skilled workers and leaders from within.
The company is dedicated to its employees, its communities, and its global customers in the energy, commercial, and defense industries. To learn more about JWF Industries, visit www.jwfi.com.
