Admill Machine Marks 30th Year With Expansion

NEW BRITAIN — Thirty years after Krzysztof Rucz founded the business, Admill Machine in New Britain is marking its anniversary with expansion and a hiring spree.

Admill added a second plant on John Downey Drive in January, and is still recruiting machinists and inspectors to fill new jobs.

“Last year alone they added more than 30 manufacturing jobs and they expect to hire more,” Mayor Erin Stewart said. “They have good-paying jobs, they look for a skilled workforce and give them more training — this is all good for New Britain.”

Admill has been growing rapidly in the past several years. A celebration is planned for Saturday at noon, at 119 John Downey Drive, the location of the new manufacturing plant that opened in January. Stewart will cut a ceremonial ribbon with Rucz and his partner, Jeffrey Hiller.

Rucz was trained as a chemist in Poland before immigrating to the United States in 1982. He landed his first job in manufacturing as an entry-level machinist in Bridgeport, before founding Admill in 1988. The company operated in Bristol and Newington before moving to New Britain 10 years ago.

“Everybody starts in New Britain. If you’re from Poland, it’s the best place where you can adapt to this country,” Rucz said.

Its headquarters are in its 34,000-squarefoot plant at 150 John Downey, and the company expanded by adding the 22,000square-foot facility across the street. Admill invested $2 million of infrastructure work in the new building, Hiller said.

Rucz is quick to share credit for the success, noting that Admill’s business with Pratt & Whitney rose sharply after he and Hiller became partners in 1995. Rucz said Vice President Paul Marchand II has helped managed the fast growth of the past few years.

Admill has built its employee roster from 80 to 140 in the past few years, and gross sales volume has increased by more than 35 percent annually, Marchand said. The company operates two 10-hour shifts.

Admill has been flying “now hiring” banners outside its offices since April. As with other Connecticut manufacturers, the company faces a challenge in recruiting trained workers.

“Manufacturing jobs have good benefits, good pay,” Marchand said. “Most people who work here own a house and a car, have a family.”