This July, we’re highlighting the partnerships, facility investments, and service capabilities that help us support mission readiness across the U.S. Navy and marine markets. From our work with The Hellan Strainer Company and Marotta to continued collaboration with NAVSUP leadership, this issue focuses on reliability, lifecycle support, and the operational improvements that keep ships, teams, and customers moving forward.
A Partnership Built for Naval Readiness
Lisa Smith, CEO of JA Moody and Moody Marine Service, sat down with Pat Wadden, VP Sales, North America at The Hellan Strainer Company, to discuss Hellan’s history, its role in U.S. Navy applications, and the partnership supporting shipbuilders, shipyards, and the fleet. Here’s the conversation that followed.
Q: Pat, to start, can you share the history of The Hellan Strainer Company?
Pat Wadden: Absolutely. Hellan has been around since 1956 and has spent nearly 70 years designing and manufacturing strainers and fluid handling equipment for some of the toughest applications out there. What started as a Cleveland-based manufacturer has grown into a global business serving the U.S. Navy, shipbuilders, power generation, HVAC, oil and gas, and industrial markets. Throughout that growth, the focus has remained pretty simple: build reliable products, support customers for the long haul, and keep critical systems running.
Today, Hellan is part of the Hellan Fluid Systems family of companies, with manufacturing operations in both the U.S. and the U.K. We’ve expanded our capabilities over the years, but we’re still very much an engineering-driven company that prides itself on solving problems and supporting customers long after the equipment ships. We’ve also continued to invest in our manufacturing capabilities. Most recently, we acquired Federal Bronze Foundry, which has since been renamed to Ironbound Castings. That acquisition brought a significant portion of our casting production in-house, giving us greater control over quality, lead times, and supply chain reliability. For the Navy, that translates into improved responsiveness and a more vertically integrated manufacturing process.
At the same time, we’ve continued investing in our Cleveland operations, including a recent 20,000-square-foot expansion and significant machining capabilities that support the Navy and our Navy product lines. While the company has evolved quite a bit since 1956, the mission remains the same: build dependable products, support our customers, and continue finding new ways to improve.
Q: What makes Hellan strainers particularly well-suited for U.S. Navy applications?
Pat Wadden: Hellan strainers are built for exactly the kind of environments Navy ships operate in every day. Space is limited, reliability is critical, and maintenance has to be as straightforward as possible. Our strainers protect everything from cooling water systems and fire main systems to auxiliary piping and mission-critical equipment throughout the ship.
What we’re most proud of is our track record. Today, there are more than 6,000 Hellan strainers installed throughout the U.S. Navy fleet. That’s something we’ve earned over decades by delivering products that simply work and continue working year after year. We’re also continuing to innovate. One of the most exciting projects we’ve been involved with recently is our autonomous self-cleaning strainer. The technology was developed by our engineering team under the leadership of Jim Hollingsworth and was awarded a U.S. patent. It was designed specifically for unmanned vessels where there may not be a crew available to perform routine maintenance. That technology is currently installed aboard EPF-14 as part of the Navy’s autonomous vessel program. It’s a great example of how we’re taking lessons learned from decades of fleet experience and applying them to the next generation of naval platforms.
Q: Can you talk about Hellan hose reels and their role on board Navy vessels?
Pat Wadden: Sure, while most people know Hellan for our strainers, our hose reels have become an important part of our Navy business as well. Our hose reels are primarily used in two critical shipboard applications: firefighting and fueling operations. In both cases, reliability is everything.
On the firefighting side, these reels are part of a ship’s damage control system. If there’s a fire onboard, sailors need equipment that works exactly the way it’s supposed to work every time. The hose has to deploy smoothly, the reel has to operate properly, and the equipment needs to be ready when it’s called upon. There are no second chances in those situations. On the fueling side, our hose reels support fuel transfer and replenishment operations. These systems see a lot of use throughout a ship’s life and operate in some pretty demanding environments. Durability, safety, and ease of operation are all critical, and those are areas where Hellan has built a strong reputation over the years.
What sets our hose reels apart is the same philosophy behind all of our products—we build them to last. They’re designed to handle the vibration, corrosion, shock, and day-to-day demands of naval service while requiring minimal maintenance and delivering dependable performance year after year. In fact, many of the hose reels we supplied decades ago are still in service today. That’s something we’re proud of because it speaks to the quality of the product and the trust the Navy has placed in our equipment. Whether it’s supporting damage control efforts, fueling operations, or everyday shipboard activities, our goal is simple: build equipment that sailors can depend on and help keep ships mission-ready.
Q: Lisa, from JA Moody’s perspective, what value do Hellan products bring to your customers?
Lisa Smith: From our standpoint, Hellan products are aligned with exactly what our Navy and marine customers expect—reliability, longevity, and performance. We are focused on keeping ships operational and mission-ready, and that requires products that can stand up to harsh environments and demanding use cycles. Hellan strainers and hose reels give our customers confidence that their systems will perform as intended, whether it’s protecting critical equipment or supporting damage control operations onboard.
Q: How does JA Moody support the specification and supply of Hellan equipment?
Lisa Smith: JA Moody plays a key role in ensuring that the right Hellan solutions are delivered to the right applications. We work closely with shipbuilders, shipyards, and Navy program stakeholders to:
- Support technical specifications and product selection
- Ensure compliance with Navy requirements and standards
- Coordinate timely delivery for new construction and repair programs
- We stock key strainers and parts to reduce delivery times for end users
- Provide ongoing customer support throughout the product lifecycle
Our goal is to make the process seamless and ensure that customers get reliable solutions without added complexity.
Q: Finally, can you both speak to the relationship between Hellan, JA Moody, and Moody Marine Service?
Pat Wadden: JA Moody has been a trusted partner of Hellan for many years, and quite honestly, they’ve become an extension of our team in the Navy market. For me personally, the relationship goes back even further. I’ve been working with JA Moody throughout my seven years at Hellan, but I knew the Moody team long before that. In a previous role, I worked extensively with JA Moody as they supported the integration of Pentair and Tyco valve products into U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs. Over the years, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how they approached customers, supported their principals, and built relationships throughout the Navy community.
When I joined Hellan, those previous experiences gave me a high level of confidence in JA Moody and their ability to represent our products. They had already earned my trust, and that played a significant role in bringing them on as our representative. What I’ve always appreciated about JA Moody is that they understand the Navy market better than almost anyone. They know the shipyards, the programs, the decision makers, and most importantly, they understand what it takes to support customers over the long haul. What makes the relationship even stronger is that it doesn’t stop once the equipment is sold.
Through Moody Marine Service, customers have access to inspection, repair, refurbishment, and ongoing technical support throughout the life of the equipment. That’s important because many of our products have remained in service for decades. Having a partner that can support those products long after installation helps ensure ships stay mission-ready and operators have the resources they need when issues arise. At the end of the day, Hellan, JA Moody, and Moody Marine Service all share the same goal: delivering reliable equipment, supporting the fleet, and helping keep Navy ships operating safely and effectively around the world.
Lisa Smith: Thank you, Pat. We value the partnership with the Hellan team as well. Hellan allows us to bring best-in-class products to our customers. What makes it particularly powerful is the full lifecycle support we offer. Through Moody Marine Service, we don’t just supply Hellan equipment—we also provide repair, maintenance, and service capabilities. This creates a closed-loop support model where we can:
- Supply original Hellan strainers and hose reels
- Provide inspection, repair, and refurbishment services
- Extend product life and improve operational readiness
For our Navy and shipyard customers, that combination of product + service is critical. It ensures continuity, reduces downtime, and ultimately supports the mission of keeping ships at sea.
Closing Thought
The partnership between The Hellan Strainer Company and JA Moody—supported by Moody Marine Service—delivers a complete solution: trusted equipment, expert support, and lifecycle service capability tailored to the unique demands of the U.S. Navy.
Contact sales@jamoody.com for additional information or a quote.
Marotta Visits Moody Marine Service’s Chesapeake Facility
On June 10, 2026, Moody Marine Service welcomed representatives from Marotta to its
Chesapeake facility for a comprehensive site visit. The occasion provided a valuable
opportunity to showcase the full scope of operations, highlighting the team’s
capabilities, technical expertise, and available resources. Discussions and
demonstrations emphasized Moody Marine’s ability to support not only Marotta’s
product lines, but also to deliver high-quality service and solutions to their customers.
The visit reinforced a shared commitment to collaboration, operational excellence, and
continued partnership growth.
New Industrial Fans Support a Safer, Cooler Workspace
A recent improvement at the Chesapeake, VA location is helping prepare for the summer months ahead. Two large, long-bladed industrial fans have been installed in the warehouse, enhancing airflow throughout the space. As temperatures rise, these additions will play a key role in maintaining a more comfortable and productive work environment for technicians. By investing in cooling solutions, Moody Marine continues to prioritize both operational efficiency and the well-being of its workforce during the warmer season.
Strengthening Alignment with NAVSUP Leadership
Katrina Gilbert and Dillon Yates recently traveled to Mechanicsburg, PA to meet with senior leadership from the Naval Supply (NAVSUP) team, including Admiral Peter Stamatopoulos and Commander Orlando White. The visit proved to be highly productive, reinforcing the strength of our partnership and creating strong alignment on priorities moving forward.
Through collaborative discussions and presentations from both teams, Moody Marine’s capabilities were well received, particularly our turnkey removal and installation services. The engagement also confirmed that all current work remains on track with no delinquent items, further strengthening our reputation for reliability and execution.
As we look ahead, several key growth opportunities have emerged. The NAVSUP team expressed strong interest in our West Coast expansion, with the upcoming San Diego facility expected to improve turnaround times and drive increased demand. Additional opportunities include potential pursuit of SUBSAFE certification and alignment with emerging “pit stop” repair initiatives focused on rapid, localized support.
Overall, the visit reinforced that our proactive approach, strong performance, and commitment to partnership are well aligned with Navy expectations. The momentum from this engagement positions Moody Marine for continued growth and expanded support of mission readiness.
Celebrating Our Amazing Team
Great service starts with a great team. We believe in supporting a culture where people thrive—and today, we’re honored to recognize these incredible team members who’ve been a vital part of that vision:
Anniversaries:
- Mark Hass (3 years)
- John Hefferman (2 years)
- Katie Finnical (1 year)
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!
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