TIGHITCO expands Navy composite manufacturing with Connecticut grant

TIGHITCO is expanding advanced composite manufacturing at its Berlin, Connecticut facility with help from a $500,000 state grant and federal support. The $1.8 million investment is aimed at improving production capacity, supply chain resilience and support for current and future U.S. Navy programs.

Why it matters: - The Berlin expansion is meant to strengthen the domestic defense industrial base by adding composite manufacturing capacity tied to U.S. Navy needs. - The project is designed to improve readiness, affordability and resilience in defense production. - The work also supports high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Connecticut.

What happened: - TIGHITCO announced an expansion of its advanced composite manufacturing capabilities at its Berlin, Connecticut facility. - The company is backing the project with a $1.8 million capital investment. - The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded TIGHITCO a $500,000 grant to help fund the expansion. - TIGHITCO is also taking part in a federally funded advanced manufacturing initiative focused on next-generation composite technologies.

The details: - The expansion is intended to support current and future U.S. Navy programs. - TIGHITCO said the SQRTM® process is part of the investment and is aimed at improving production efficiency, quality and manufacturing capacity. - The company said the Connecticut and federal support is helping accelerate deployment of the technology. - The federally funded initiative is aimed at strengthening the Navy supply chain and improving domestic manufacturing capacity. - TIGHITCO said the project will help deliver reliable, high-performance composite solutions for defense customers. - The company said the investment will also support broader Navy modernization efforts and other defense aerospace programs. - For more information, visit the company's announcement or email info@tighitco.com.

Between the lines: - The grant positions Connecticut as a partner in defense manufacturing growth, not just a funding source. - The mix of state and federal support suggests a policy push to keep more advanced aerospace and defense work in the U.S. - TIGHITCO is using the announcement to frame the project as both an industrial upgrade and an economic development win.

What's next: - TIGHITCO will implement the expansion at its Berlin facility. - The company expects the new composite capabilities to support Navy programs and other defense customers as the technologies are deployed. - The broader payoff will depend on how quickly the SQRTM® process and related manufacturing tools scale into production.