Farmington Manufacturer Breaks Ground On Massive Expansion

FARMINGTON, CT — For the second time in as many months, a Farmington-based manufacturer has either announced or broken ground on a major expansion project.

On Thursday, Farmington-headquartered TRUMPF Inc., located in the Farmington Industrial Park at 11 Hyde Road, broke ground on a 55,800-square-foot expansion that will bring in tax revenue and jobs to the town.

TRUMPF is the the North American subsidiary of the German high-tech TRUMPF Group and it is adding to its production building for the manufacture of laser cutting, bending and welding machinery.

According to the company website, TRUMPF is "is a high-tech company offering manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools and laser technology."

In simplest terms, it builds the things that build the things.

What makes this project a bit unique, however, is that it is being born out of disaster following a fatal plane crash as the site in 2021.

Company officials said this expansion is, actually, "part of ongoing recovery efforts related to damage sustained after a plane crashed into the production building in September of 2021."

Four were killed in the plane crash.

The $40 million project will include a so-called "Smart Factory" that demonstrates advanced automated and connected precision sheet metal production, according to TRUMPF.

“North America remains the most important business market for us outside of our domestic market in Germany. We are pleased to emphasize this importance with today’s investment,” said Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, chief executive officer of the TRUMPF Group.

“This project is an important step toward the next generation of manufacturing for TRUMPF and also for our customers across the United States,” said TRUMPF Inc. President and CEO Lutz Labisch. “Smart Factories and automated, connected manufacturing are an important part of keeping American manufacturing companies strong and competitive into the future.”

Construction on the project has already begun and is expected to be completed by May 2024.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont was on hand for the private ground-breaking ceremony, according to TRUMPF.

"Companies like TRUMPF are essential to the future of manufacturing,” Lamont said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This addition and the state-of-art Smart Factory it will house in Farmington is an excellent example of how TRUMPF and manufacturers across the United States are working to improve the next generation of production technology to stay competitive in a global market.”

TRUMPF's expansion project comes a month after another Farmington manufacture, Mott Corp., formally announced major expansion plans at its 75 Spring Lane site.

Mott manufactures components for the manufacture of the green form of hydrogen fuel, seen as a growing industry in and unto itself as it seen as an environmentally friendly source of energy.

For more information on TRUMPF Inc.'s groundbreaking on its Smart Factory, click on this link.

From Sept. 2, 2021: '4 Killed After Plane Crashes Into Building In Farmington: Police'

From Feb. 23: 'High-Tech Farmington Company Announces Massive Expansion'