TIGHITCO expands Navy composite work with Connecticut grant

TIGHITCO will expand advanced composite manufacturing at its Berlin, Connecticut facility with support from a $500,000 state grant and a $1.8 million capital investment. The project is aimed at strengthening U.S. Navy supply chains, domestic defense manufacturing and high-skilled aerospace jobs.

Why it matters: - The Berlin facility expansion is designed to improve readiness, affordability and resilience across the U.S. defense industrial base. - The project adds domestic capacity for advanced composite manufacturing that supports current and future U.S. Navy programs. - The investment also supports Connecticut’s effort to grow advanced manufacturing and protect high-skilled aerospace jobs.

What happened: - TIGHITCO announced an expansion of its advanced composite manufacturing capabilities for U.S. Navy work. - The work will be implemented at TIGHITCO’s Berlin, Connecticut facility. - The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded TIGHITCO a $500,000 grant. - TIGHITCO is making a $1.8 million capital investment in the Berlin site. - The company is also participating in a federally funded advanced manufacturing initiative focused on next-generation composite manufacturing technologies.

The details: - The expansion is centered on the SQRTM® process. - Shawn Hawks, vice president of operations, said the investment in SQRTM® is intended to improve production efficiency, quality and manufacturing capacity for defense customers. - Hawks said state and federal support is accelerating deployment of the new technology to help meet the U.S. Navy’s evolving mission requirements. - Mark Withrow, president and CEO, said the project reflects partnerships among industry, state government and the federal government. - Withrow said the Connecticut investment supports advanced manufacturing, high-skilled aerospace jobs and critical capabilities for the U.S. Navy. - Withrow also thanked the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, AdvanceCT and federal partners.

Between the lines: - The grant is being used as more than funding; it is being framed as a strategic state-federal partnership. - The announcement positions Connecticut as an active player in defense manufacturing, not just a financial backer. - The emphasis on domestic composite capacity signals a broader push to reduce supply chain fragility in defense production. - TIGHITCO is using the project to link industrial modernization with national security and local economic development.

What’s next: - TIGHITCO will roll out the expanded composite manufacturing capabilities at the Berlin facility. - The SQRTM® process is expected to support Navy modernization efforts and other defense aerospace programs. - The company expects the investment to help create high-value manufacturing jobs and strengthen long-term U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. - More information is available at the company’s website or by emailing info@tighitco.com.

The bottom line: - TIGHITCO is pairing state grant money and federal support to expand advanced composite production in Connecticut and deepen its role in Navy supply chains.