Costa Mesa Firm’s Ex-Owner Is Ousted From Presidency

The president and former owner of Flexible Metal Hose Manufacturing Co. has been removed by the parent company of the Costa Mesa manufacturer.

Frank Singer was removed as president on Tuesday and replaced by Fred Berkenkamp, an executive with Cyclops Corp., a Pittsburgh-based diversified manufacturer that bought Flexible Metal Hose from Singer in 1986.

Berkenkamp confirmed Wednesday that Singer is no longer employed by the company. But he declined to comment on the reasons for Singer’s departure.

A manager at Flexible Metal Hose, who asked that his name not be used, said Cyclops has put the Costa Mesa firm up for sale. Singer has offered to repurchase the company, but “his offer was rejected by Cyclops,” the manager said.

Berkenkamp would neither confirm nor deny the report of Singer’s offer to buy the company. He referred questions to the parent company, but officials there could not be immediately reached for comment.

Singer also could not be reached for comment.

Berkenkamp said the company’s 60 employees were told of the management change Tuesday.

Flexible Metal Hose is a manufacturer of metal hoses, cables, wiring assemblies and other specialty products for the aerospace industry. Last year, the firm announced a joint manufacturing venture with a Chinese company to make anti-vibration components for airplanes in China.