MANCHESTER – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that Timken Aerospace Drive Systems is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Timken operates out of a 180,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Manchester, Connecticut, where, for nearly 70 years, hardworking Connecticut residents have manufactured machined parts for the commercial and military aerospace industries. Today, Timken designs and manufactures transmissions, gears, rotor-head systems, and other high-complexity components for helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft platforms. With the support of 180 employees, the manufacturer serves the U.S. Department of Defense and aviation manufacturers around the globe. 

In the last few years, the U.S. military has awarded Timken a number of contracts on mission-critical helicopters, including the Boeing Apache and the Sikorsky Black Hawk. Last week, Timken Aerospace won a $46.4 million multi-year contract for the maintenance and overhaul of the AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter main transmission. 

Murphy said, “Manchester’s Timken is part of a large, multinational corporation that has nearly 100 facilities around the world, but despite their size, Timken plays an enormous role helping their local community. As part of Manchester Community College’s Program Advisory Council, Timken’s leadership team has funded manufacturing scholarships and helped the college purchase software, technology, and equipment needed to prepare students for jobs in advanced manufacturing. Timken is using their expertise to support our military and build up Connecticut’s workforce. I’m proud to highlight all they do.” 

“Our Manchester plant draws from the talent of the local workforce as well as the expertise embedded in the many well-known, aerospace-related businesses located in the region,” said Frank Irey, general manager of Timken Aerospace Drive Systems. “Access to this highly skilled workforce and the state’s quality infrastructure provide a solid foundation for our continued success in Connecticut.”

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.