Federal Officials Visit Pratt & Whitney and Connecticut to Recognize Manufacturing Renaissance

Connecticut is one of 24 regions included in the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), a designation that provides support from 11 federal agencies and access to more than $1 billion in federal funding dedicated to economic development and the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing.

On June 3, members of the Pratt & Whitney leadership team joined more than 50 people including representatives from the White House, Economic Development Administration and Congress, as well as state government and business officials, at the company's Customer Training Center in East Hartford for a roundtable discussion about the state's progress with IMCP.

Danny Di Perna, senior vice president, Operations at Pratt & Whitney, briefed the group about the company's investment in manufacturing. "We are spending more than $1.3 billion worldwide to expand our network of manufacturing and assembly and test sites, including more than $400 million to modernize, transform and expand the company's [existing] East Hartford and Middletown facilities," he said.

He explained that the company also has invested in a comprehensive supply chain readiness strategy to meet customer commitments. "We have signed more than 400 long-term agreements valued at more than $23 billion with key product suppliers, enabling them to invest in capital equipment and hire and train people," Di Perna said, noting that the company anticipates its annual spend with Connecticut manufacturers [$400 million in 2015] will triple by 2020.

Connecticut's overall IMCP initiatives focus on developing a pipeline of trained workers, fostering a competitive supply-chain ecosystem, strengthening innovation hubs for advanced manufacturing, investing in energy improvement and infrastructure, increasing global market share and improving competitiveness and access to capital. Among the achievements to date are a 50 percent increase in enrollment at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering; significant investments in STEM education and education reform; expanded partnerships among community colleges, high schools, industry and government; and private manufacturing investment.

Jason Miller, special assistant to President Obama and deputy director of the National Economic Council, embraced the progress. "It's incredibly powerful to be here," he said. "[This visit] gives us the opportunity to see that what we're doing [via IMCP] makes a difference."

Jay Williams, assistant secretary of Commerce, agreed. "We want to see other communities emulate what you have done here in Connecticut," he said. "[IMCP] integrates and aligns the federal government's investment, brings better focus to manufacturing, institutionalizes efforts and capitalizes on the ingenuity in our communities."

One IMCP project links Pratt & Whitney, UTRC, UConn, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and several state machining suppliers. "The goal is to develop, demonstrate and implement machining process simulation capabilities that will help us enhance machining capability," Di Perna said.

He encouraged continued investment in manufacturing skills and technology across the country. "There are limited critical resources for welders, for example," he said. "We need to continue to invest to keep America strong."

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy noted that the state has changed direction. "We needed to change direction, pay attention to our strengths and understand what was possible; we've done that," he said.

During the one-day Connecticut tour, federal officials also visited Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield; Polamer Precision, Inc., in New Britain; and the Naval Submarine Base in New London.

"Signing long-term agreements with key aerospace customers enables Polamer to make strategic upgrades to important equipment," said Chris Galik, president and CEO of Polamer, a key Pratt & Whitney supplier. Through IMCP support, Polamer has purchased new machines and built a new quality inspection lab in preparation for the overall aerospace manufacturing ramp up.