Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Rep. John Larson, and other state and local officials attended Triumph Group’s ribbon cutting on Tuesday for their new Thermal Solutions Development Center in West Hartford.

By Ronni Newton

State and local officials were thrilled when Triumph Group announced in February that they planned to expand their West Hartford operations – and Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Rep. John Larson, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Dan O’Keefe, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, state Sen. Derek Slap, and state Rep. Kate Farrar were among those who celebrated  the ribbon cutting for the completed Thermal Solutions Development Center on Tuesday morning with company executives and employees.

The ribbon cutting marked a key milestone that ensured Triumph’s commitment to their investment in their Connecticut operations, where they will add good-paying jobs and their new state-of-the-art facility will play a vital role in the development of advanced cooling systems for the aerospace industry, with applications to both military and civilian aircraft. Prior to the announcement in February, there had been fear that Triumph – which already employed roughly 400 people in West Hartford and 650 in the state – might leave due to the need to address major concerns about their energy costs and the demands on their aged power systems.

Instead, Triumph has already hired 65 new engineers, and the number of new employees will ultimately grow by more than 100 as the company further increases staff when production work begins in the Thermal Solutions Development Center. According to an announcement from Triumph, the new operation “is a key part of Triumph’s broader strategy to enhance its thermal capabilities and offerings for military and civilian aircraft, specifically production of advanced thermal management systems that increase the cooling capacity of aircrafts.”

Justin Wolfanger, president of Triumph Systems, Electronics and Controls, said Tuesday that he wants to see Triumph play an even greater role locally, enhancing its ties to local suppliers as well as strengthening the relationship with West Hartford. “I want to get involved the fabric of the community. I want people to know where Triumph is, other than the soccer field over here which we donated.”

Working with the state has been “phenomenal,” Wolfanger said. The power system they had previously in the facility was failing and would not support their desired growth, and they were looking at $12 to $15 million of investment needed. “I like to spend that money on R&D, and on our team growing new products. That was a major infrastructure issue and the state stepped up,” Wolfanger said. “The support the state has allowed us to maintain this facility and grow the facility.”

The state and DECD, along with Connecticut Innovations, provided loans for the project, as well as a sales and use tax exemption to assist Triumph’s investment of $12 million to upgrade the power system which is necessary to run the Center and its equipment.

Wolfanger said Triumph has won so many new projects to facilitate this long-term commitment. “We are looking forward to growing our business, growing our business here in Connecticut. Nobody has a better workforce than Connecticut, hands down.”

Larson said Tuesday that Connecticut “has long been known as the arsenal for democracy” – a global leader in aerospace manufacturing and innovation – and we are proud to have Triumph in the state. The work that Triumph does makes the military exceptional, and is “important for the future of our state and the nation,” he said.

“He’s right. We have the finest workforce in the world and that’s why the governor, that’s why the state senator, the state representative, the mayor, myself are all here today, to participate in this ribbon cutting, continue to work and support you,” said Larson.

Cantor noted Triumph’s long history in the area, “and you are such an important part of the fabric of the community.” She also praised West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski for her instrumental role in connecting the town with the Triumph team, and the work of DECD and others who were involved. “It really does take everyone to form as a team and work together,” she said, to help invest in our workforce and the technology for the future of aerospace manufacturing.

“Congratulations. Continue the incredible work that you do. We’re so proud to have you in West Hartford,” Cantor said.

“We knew when we got involved that we had to work together collaboratively and quickly to keep you here,” said Slap, “And I am so pleased that we were able to do that. I’m so pleased with what you do to keep our country safe and also to keep our economy here in Connecticut strong.”

Slap said he drives by and thinks about the company every weekend, when his 12-year-old son plays sports on the fields donated by Triumph. “I’m just filled with gratitude that you’re here and committed to doing whatever we can to help you grow and prosper,” he said.

Farrar, who represents the 20th District which includes Triumph’s location between Flatbush and New Park avenues, said that today, “I think we can all agree that West Hartford is the home of world class manufacturing.”

Triumph is always raising the bar, Farrar said, “and that’s why as soon as Justin [Wolfanger] and his team reached out to us, we were ready to collaborate to make that difference, so that you could not just be here for the present but be here for the future.”

The products Triumph produces are the “hearts and brains of these fighter jets,” Farrar said, and they are also inspiring the next generation. “Let’s keep making sure that our incredible community, our incredible state, are keeping manufacturing front and center.”

O’Keefe, whose birthday was also Tuesday, joked that he had told the governor that the only birthday gift he wanted was “an incredible advanced manufacturing company, ideally a flagship member of our aerospace industry, ideally a company innovating in the future of our national defense … investing in the physical plant … and I would want them to hire at least 100 employees. So today is my birthday and you are my birthday present.”

In seriousness, O’Keefe said, “What you are seeing today is where Connecticut has strategic advantage” with its skilled workforce that is bringing manufacturing back to the country’s shores.

Lamont said the “secret sauce” for Connecticut is having best trained workforce, “and that’s why advanced manufacturing is getting bigger and bigger piece of our economic pie. That’s why Triumph is growing,” he said. “We make the most sophisticated equipment in the world. Zero fault.”

In a statement, Lamont said, “This is a huge win for Connecticut and a prime example of how public and private partnerships can strengthen our economy and national security. For decades, Connecticut has been at the forefront of aerospace innovation, and Triumph’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities right here in West Hartford ensures that legacy continues. We are proud to partner with Triumph and look forward to more celebrations in the years to come.”

Wolfanger provided several of the guests with a tour of the new Thermal Systems Test Lab, created in an outbuilding that was previously a storage room. Spurred by the state’s support, they have also already invested $1.5 million in a new wastewater treatment facility on the campus. The state’s investment was the gateway for the rest,” he said.

In a facility built in the 1940s that occupies several hundred thousand square feet in West Hartford, Triumph Systems, Electronics and Controls “designs, develops, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense components, accessories, subassemblies, systems, and aircraft thermal management systems,” partnering with original equipment managers as well as operators of various types of aircraft worldwide.

The operation has changed ownership several times, but has been a leading manufacturer in West Hartford for decades. Triumph purchased United Technologies subsidiary Goodrich Pump and Engine in 2013, and before that it was the Chandler Evans Division of Coltec. In 2015, Triumph acquired Fairchild Controls and relocated that product line to West Hartford.

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