Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1546259
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 24, 2026 17 is the industry's most urgent opera- tional challenge," PwC said in a recent industry analysis. Aerospace manufacturers are also facing competition for capacity from other growing markets. Investment in space exploration is expanding, while aerospace compa- nies are developing more sophis- ticated drones, electric propulsion systems and vertical-lift aircraft. That development work competes for engineering talent, manufacturing capacity and components that could otherwise support commercial aircraft production. Meanwhile, Aboulafia said the rapid construction of data centers is increasing demand for power-genera- tion equipment that relies on some of the same technologies and suppliers used by aerospace manufacturers. 'Gone crazy' That's something Michael Polo, president and founder of Manchester-based ACMT, which manufactures components and assemblies for aero- space and industrial gas-turbine engines, is seeing firsthand. "Our industrial engine business has gone crazy — that's all the data centers and all the power gener- ation," Polo said. "I have never seen more movement in those. That itself has been another unprecedented opportunity for us." Over its 40-year history, ACMT, formerly Ad-Chem, has developed a range of manufacturing capabil- ities, including producing compo- nents for Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan engine and performing maintenance and repair work on gas-turbine components. The company recently leased a third building in Manchester, where it has built a new clean room and create additional manufacturing space. The expansion will allow ACMT to better separate its sheet- metal fabrication, composites and repair operations and work involving fan blade covers for Pratt & Whitney. Polo said Pratt & Whitney is also transitioning some work on legacy engines to ACMT, freeing capacity at the engine maker's facilities for development and other work. "This cycle that we're going through now, I've never seen before," he said. "I started the company 40 years ago. And our 40th year has by far been our best year ever." Stevenson, Crescent's CFO, has a similarly long perspective on the industry's ups and downs. "This to me feels different than anything I've experienced," he said. "Just given the scale, the scope of the work we're seeing, the work we don't have that we think we can get, and the demand that is out there." Michael Polo Construction is underway on a 20,000-square-foot expansion of Crescent Manufacturing's Burlington facility, which will triple the aerospace fastener maker's footprint to 30,000 square feet. HBJ Photos | Steve Laschever Straightforward tools and local expertise to help real business owners solve real challenges - every day. Cash and treasury management solutions Express Business Loans up to Åfee•eee‹ with decisions in im hours Best-in-class mo•ile/online treasury services platform Positive Pay and fraud mitigation Our local, experienced team provides the guidance, financing, and fast decisions your business needs to move forward. And we've been doing it for more than 150 years. Built for Business. Powered by People. *Express Business Lending: All loans and lines subject to full credit review and approval. Ascend Bank Business checking account required for Express Business Loans.