Blumenthal, Airbus Co-Host Conference For Potential New Suppliers To Grow Connecticut’s Aerospace Industry

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Airbus Americas, and the Connecticut District Export Council (CDEC) hosted a procurement conference for over 100 Connecticut business owners and state officials to promote and facilitate increased business between Connecticut’s aerospace manufacturers and Airbus. The day-long conference provided participants with the opportunity to hear from Airbus procurement officials about potential contracts and interview for the chance to become suppliers to the company. Connecticut is currently home to over 200 businesses in the aerospace industry, employing approximately 40,000 people.

Blumenthal said, “Today’s conference is an excellent example of what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together to create new and exciting opportunities for Connecticut’s top-of-the-line aerospace manufacturers. I thank Airbus and the Connecticut District Export Council for helping to organize this event – and hopefully events similar to today’s in the future – that will surely bring about well-paying, high-tech jobs for the state’s already thriving aerospace industry.”

Williams said, “Connecticut has a rich heritage of aerospace talent and a long history within Airbus’ supply chain. Airbus spent nearly $5 billion in 2012 alone and over $20 billion over the last five years in Connecticut, but we continue to look for opportunities to grow business with suppliers here.”

In February of 2013, Blumenthal joined the U.S. Department of Commerce and CDED in leading an aerospace business development trade mission to Toulouse, France, considered the aerospace hub of Europe. The three-day mission connected nine Connecticut precision manufacturers to senior procurement officials in France, including officials at Airbus.