Park Aerospace CEO Rejects Reports Questioning Commercial Jet Engine Ramp-Up, Says Ramp Will Be Steeper
Why It MattersA steeper ramp on sole-source composite engine components would add demand pressure on aerospace supply chains, where labor and capacity limits already constrain production.
Brian E. Shore, Chairman and CEO of Park Aerospace Corp., issued a statement on Oct. 15, 2026 responding to what he called incorrect reporting about the robustness of the ramp-up of the company's commercial aircraft jet engine business. He said Park's advanced composite materials are sole source qualified for engine nacelles, thrust reversers and other engine components on several key commercial aircraft jet engine programs, and that the company refers to the ramp-up of those programs as its Commercial Aircraft Jet Engine "Juggernaut."
Shore said certain independent reports issued after the company's October 8, 2026 FY2027 second quarter earnings conference call and presentation questioned the strength of that ramp-up. He stated that any reports questioning it or suggesting it is losing steam are wrong. Based on recent high-level discussions and engagements with its key customer, he said the ramp-up is expected to be much steeper and more aggressive than the company previously and recently understood.
Shore said the challenge will be to aggressively ramp up staffing and production at Park's Newton, Kansas facility to meet requirements. He said the company plans to meet that challenge but that it will be very demanding until relief comes from its planned new plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated jet engine program production ramps, future customer requirements, staffing and production capacity and the planned Tulsa facility, and notes risks including changes in customer production schedules and demand, aerospace supply-chain constraints, labor availability, program delays and the timing and execution of capacity expansion plans.
