Advanced Atomization Technologies to Expand and Increase Workforce

Advanced Atomization Technologies (AA TECH), the joint venture between Parker Aerospace and GE Aviation, will expand its facility in Clyde, New York. The updated manufacturing facility and new office building will accommodate increased demand for work that is being scheduled for new engine programs that are experiencing dramatic production ramp up within the next several years.

AA TECH employs about 350 skilled assemblers, technicians, engineers and other professionals. With increased work volume driving the expansion, the company plans to hire 80 to 100 additional team members over the next five years.

“We are excited about this significant facility upgrade,” said AA TECH General Manager David Overholt. “We are committed to the Clyde area and value our experienced workforce who are experts in the production of fuel nozzles. We are proud to partner with the community and grateful for its help in obtaining grants so that we can grow and develop our business.”

The existing AA TECH facility will be completely refurbished and transformed into a state-of-the-art production facility, adding more than $20 million in new advanced manufacturing equipment. The new 28,000 square foot building being constructed will include office space, teaming rooms, a multi-purpose and lunch room and an exercise facility. The project also includes a larger and improved parking lot. Construction will begin in October 2014 and is expected to be completed in February 2016.

New York State will provide up to $900,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for AA TECH’s job creation commitments. Empire State Development is providing a $500,000 capital grant from the state’s Economic Transformation Program. This program supports the economies of communities affected by the closure of certain correctional and juvenile justice facilities, in this case Butler Correctional Facility. Wayne County will provide assistance in the form of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes on the added value of the addition to the facility. Additionally, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors has authorized assistance of up to $100,000 for public infrastructure. This will be matched by cash or in-kind services from Advanced Atomization Technologies and the local municipalities, the Village of Clyde and Town of Galen.

AA TECH is headquartered and performs all of its manufacturing, including the GEnx, LEAP and GE9X, in Clyde, New York. Its fuel nozzles are installed on almost every commercial aviation and industrial engine manufactured by GE Aviation. Aftermarket support for the nozzles is performed in Glendale, Arizona; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Petropolis, Brazil.

The LEAP fuel atomization nozzle is one of the most advanced fuel nozzles used in modern propulsion today. The nozzle’s tip is manufactured at a new GE Aviation facility in Auburn, Alabama, using a 3-D additive technique. The tip is then sent to AA TECH to be incorporated into the nozzle’s assembly. The nozzle is assembled and tested at AA TECH’s Clyde facility using advanced manufacturing processes.

Wayne County Economic Development Department Director Bob McNary said that the county wholeheartedly endorsed the expansion, as evidenced by the Board of Supervisors favorable recommendation and endorsement of the $500,000 in ETP grant funds and the award of up to $100,000 in County Industrial Site funds for public infrastructure improvements. He stated that the county was glad that these incentives could be made available, as the competition from sites in two other states was very aggressive.