Keeping Hampton Roads afloat (and in the air) for 45 years County mainstay AMTECH crafts parts for ships, aircraft & spacecraft

By Melissa James, York County Contributor

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An aircraft carrier has millions upon millions of parts—and many of them are produced right here in York County. For the past 45 years, AMTECH Automated Machine & Technology in Grafton has been cranking out the materials necessary to support the construction of these ships, as well as submarines, aircraft, spacecraft and everything in between.

AMTECH, founded by Billy Bension and headquartered on Green Drive since 1979, specializes in precision machine shop and fabrication services. General Manager Jon Austin has been at the helm of the company for roughly two years, though he has decades of experience in the industry.

“I always wanted to get into the manufacturing business, having been a shipbuilder for 30 years,” he said. “I was given an opportunity to do this job, and I’m happy I did. I really enjoy what I do here, and I love the people I work with. Every day is a challenge and something different.”

AMTECH’s team of machinists and welders works out of two facilities, creating:

• Hardware for space and aeronautical research projects

• Equipment for chemical projects manufacturing

• Components for ship construction and repair

• Prototype research and development hardware for the Continuous Electron Beam

• Accelerator Facility at Jefferson Labs

• Strictly inspected parts for nuclear power plants

  
  

“I like the diversity of the industry as far as all the different parts we make,” said Austin. “It amazes me every day to see my employees take a raw piece of metal and turn it into an intricate complex part.”

Members of the AMTECH team manufacture machined parts and fabricated weldments ranging from tiny, delicate components to larger pieces that weigh thousands of pounds. They work with a variety of materials, including ferrous and nonferrous alloys, stainless steels, space-age super alloys, ceramics, composites and plastics.

A whopping 85 percent of AMTECH’s work is for Newport News Shipbuilding, with other memorable projects involving repairs on the attack submarine USS Columbia and the Navy light cruiser USS Boise. The company has collaborated with well-known companies like Northrop Grumman, Electric Boat, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., American Turbocharger, Curtiss-Wright, Riggins, Atlas North America, Consolidated Industries, Parker Meggitt and EMS Industrial. In all, AMTECH has roughly 30 employees and 326 partners to support 250 customers on various projects.

“I love watching our employees excel in their craft,” Austin said. “We get a lot of emergent work for the shipbuilding industry that needs to be completed within a couple days or even hours. I love rallying the team to come up with a plan that we can execute and get the specific job completed and back to the ship. We’re always trying to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Austin attributes AMTECH’s success these past four decades to a number of factors.

“We’re unique because of our size, capabilities and location,” he said. “We’re a smaller company, but we pack a big punch with our capabilities. We’re so diverse in what we can do on both the machine side and fabrication side of the house. There isn’t much we can’t do in the industry.”

New technologies have enabled the company to make a difference in the shipbuilding industry even faster. AMTECH will soon install a fiber laser that can cut sheet metal up to three quarters  of an inch thick, making it easier to weld—as well as form and shape—pieces. AMTECH already has a water jet machine to assist with metal cutting.

Matt Whiteford, manager for estimating and strategic shop planning, said AMTECH is looking to update its business model “to be more of a direct support shop to provide the shipyard a streamlined fabrication and machining source to meet their immediate needs.” He added, “We strive to provide customers with the best quality and cost of products to meet and exceed their expectations."

York County is grateful AMTECH has stayed local for so many decades.

“Their dedication to precision craftsmanship and their highly skilled team have made them a vital part of our local economy,” said Kristi Olsen-Hayes, director of economic and tourism development for the County. “AMTECH’s commitment to innovation and quality has set a high standard, and their success exemplifies the strength and resilience of our business community. Reaching this milestone is a testament to their hard work, expertise and contributions to York County. We are proud to have them and wish them continued success in the years to come."

While Austin has only been with the company for a short duration of the company’s existence, he’s equally thrilled to be part of the anniversary commemoration.

“Forty-five years is a huge milestone for any business, and I’m very proud to be a part of it,” he said. “The County has always been supportive of AMTECH from a business standpoint.”

Austin himself has been a County resident for more than 25 years. After graduating from Fork Union Military Academy in 1985, he entered the apprentice school at Newport News Shipbuilding. He worked for the shipyard for 26 years before transitioning into the manufacturing field, so his work at AMTECH allows Austin continued interaction with people he’s known for years.

With two grown children who graduated from Grafton High, Austin said he loves living in the County. He often joins his kids at Yorktown Beach, and they’re regulars at Cinco de Mayo and Asahi restaurants.

Austin has no plans of leaving, and he described his eagerness to lead AMTECH into the future—which includes a possible expansion as the company continues to add clientele.

“We’re hoping to expand within the next five years as we continue to grow,” Austin said. “We are currently upgrading our facility with new machines and equipment on both sides of the house. We’re quickly becoming a state-of -the-art machine and fabrication facility. Our goal is to become the go-to company for our customers, providing quality products on time at a fair price."

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