When James and Sean Cerven launched Cerven Solutions in 2020, they were working out of their parents’ one-car garage in Dutchess County. Today, their Poughkeepsie-based high-tech machining shop serves aerospace, medical, and emerging technology sectors.

And they’re just getting started. 

The brothers built the business manufacturing precision components that require tight tolerances and complex geometry, supporting customers from early prototypes through low-volume production runs. What they lacked in industry experience, they made up for with fresh thinking and a willingness to invest in the tools that give small shops a big edge. 

“We’re trying to push the envelope as much as we possibly can because we know it makes us two to three times more efficient,” Sean Cerven told The Hudson Valley Council of Industry. “It’s a clear competitive advantage.” 

That mindset has driven smart capital investments, including advanced precision machining equipment, a robotic tending system, and a custom-built AI-powered system to manage inventory, tooling, and production scheduling. In some cases, automation allows the shop to run lights-out production overnight, generating returns on a single custom tool within one shift. 

Now a four-person operation, Cerven Solutions’ next goal is to meet the rigorous quality and documentation standards required for components used in aerospace launch systems. Every step of their process must be verifiable and repeatable. 

“When you’re making parts that could ultimately fly on a rocket, everything needs to be in order,” Sean said. 

The brothers have also invested in relationships closer to home, connecting with Hudson Valley manufacturers and industry organizations like the Council of Industry. That regional network has proven as valuable as any piece of equipment. 

“This is the most work and the most stressful thing I’ve ever done,” James Cerven said. “But it feels like we’re playing every day.” 

Central Hudson is proud to power businesses like Cerven Solutions: Homegrown manufacturers proving that world-class precision can come from right here in the Hudson Valley. 

This article is part of the “Made in the Hudson Valley” series, which highlights local manufacturers and industries, the innovative products they make, and the vital jobs they provide in the communities we call home. 

It’s also a collaboration with the Council of Industry, a nonprofit supporting Hudson Valley manufacturers through workforce development and advocacy since 1910—learn more on their website and read their Cerven Solutions feature here. 

Photos courtesy of Council of Industry.