SOUTH WINDSOR — Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, has named Evolution Aerospace Inc. as his “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer” of the week.

The Agreda family founded the business in 1980 with two manufacturing machines. Over the years, the business grew through acquiring several other aerospace parts manufacturers.

It now has a 98,000-square-foot plant at 425 Sullivan Ave. and a satellite factory in Florida.

From 24 employees in the early years, the business has grown to employ 72 engineers, technicians, and machinists — and expects to grow by as much as 40 percent in the next few years, Murphy said.

The Agreda family additionally has established partnerships with local colleges and schools to encourage students to enter manufacturing, he added. It also created a training center on the production floor of the South Windsor plant where new employees can learn about the field and its technologies, Murphy said.
In 2013, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, also highlighted the company, calling it an American success story.

The small business supplies aircraft equipment to major companies including East Hartford’s Pratt & Whitney. It makes parts for a variety of aircraft, including Pratt engines that power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Founder Pedro Agreda came to the U.S. more than 30 years ago from his native Peru and was later joined by son Charlie, and other family members running the business.

Agreda had to learn English, as well as the highly technical aspects of the aerospace industry, Blumenthal said, before being able to run what have become highly successful businesses.