August 25, 2010

CT CONGRESSMAN CHRIS MURPHY TOURS NEW HABCO FACILITY

AND EDUCATES STAFF ON “BUY AMERICAN” BILLS

Congressman Chris Murphy, from Connecticut’s 5^th district, visited HABCO on Monday, August 23^rd to tour the newly renovated facility and to speak to HABCO employees and guests about the importance of the “Buy America” Act for US defense spending.

During a tour of the new building, Congressman Murphy saw two innovative products HABCO has designed and built for the US Armed Forces.  One, the SK2000DAP, Differential Angle Protractor, revolutionizes the process of taking rigging measurements on a helicopter.  In 2009, HABCO was awarded a $1.4M contract from the US Navy to design and build these units for the fleet.  The second item is a tire safety cage used in the inflation of tires off or on the aircraft that precludes the possibility of potentially serious personal injury to maintenance staff in the event of a tire explosion. HABCO has the only DOD tested and approved tire cage on the market, and hopes to expand this business significantly in the next year. 

Congressman Murphy commented:  “It is companies like HABCO that continue to invest in their future and grow that make my job a lot easier down in Washington.  We need to tell their stories and continue to nurture this innovation with policies and programs that protect them.” 

The congressman has recently introduced two bills to boost domestic manufacturing by updating Federal “Buy American” laws. His American Jobs Matter Act requires that federal contracting officers solicit information from bidders regarding how the award of a contract will affect domestic employment. This will shed light on where American tax dollars are being spent to create - or compete with - American jobs.

After the tour, Congressman Murphy hosted a Q&A session in the new HABCO training room, answering questions from the audience.

Bonnie Del Conte, President of CONNSTEP, Inc, arranged and attended the meeting. CONNSTEP maintains a close working relationship with the Congressman on matters relating to workforce development and lean manufacturing.  Several members of the ACM (Aerospace Components Manufacturers) also attended.  ACM is a network of independent Connecticut-based aerospace companies that by working together as a network, collectively offer broader capabilities than they could as individuals.