AdvanceCT Welcomes Aerospace Manufacturer WHI To Connecticut

Connecticut, June 17th, 2025 - Today, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and AdvanceCT announced that aerospace component manufacturer, WHI Global, LLC (WHI), will open a new production facility in Enfield, Connecticut.  Concurrently, WHI subsidiary Aerobond Composites, LLC announced that it has signed contracts with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, to produce various components for the UH-60 Black Hawk® helicopter. WHI is backed by private investment fund RVE Partners (“RVE”).

Governor Lamont, WHI and RVE made the joint announcement from the Connecticut Pavilion at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France. 

WHI is a vertically integrated manufacturer of complex composite parts and assemblies for the aerospace and defense markets. With a growing business, WHI made the decision to open a new facility in Connecticut to be closer to some of its larger customers. 

“This is fantastic news for Connecticut and fantastic news for our growing aerospace and defense industry,” said Governor Lamont. “WHI is joining the top aerospace component market in the country and will be able to hire from the best manufacturing talent pool in the world. It’s fitting that we are announcing this new facility here at the Paris Air Show, in front of the entire global industry.”

WHI’s new facility is being designed with expansion in mind. Currently under construction, the site will feature clean rooms and expanded capacity to support additional production lines in the future. WHI plans to hire over 40 employees in Connecticut and invest $12 million in the new facility.

“This investment reflects our confidence in WHI’s long-term growth trajectory and aligns with RVE’s strategy of building enduring value,” said David Caputo, Managing Partner of RVE. “We’re proud to support WHI as it expands its footprint and strengthens its market position.”

WHI’s new facility will support advanced composite manufacturing capabilities including layup, bonding, rubber vulcanization and compression molding for aerospace and defense customers.

“WHI is experiencing sustained growth, so we are eager to get our new Enfield facility online,” said Al Altieri, CEO of WHI. “Our new operation will help us keep pace with the demand for our products and design for the future needs of our clients.”

WHI has been working closely with AdvanceCT to help navigate the many benefits offered to manufacturers opening new facilities in the state of Connecticut.

“Here at the Paris Air Show, Connecticut is in its element,” added John Bourdeaux, President and CEO of AdvanceCT. “We are proud to welcome WHI to our state and delighted they will be part of our thriving aerospace industry.” 

WHI is planning a formal ribbon cutting for later in the year.

About AdvanceCT
AdvanceCT is a business-driven nonprofit that works to engage, retain, and recruit businesses to Connecticut. AdvanceCT collaborates with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and our partners to implement high impact, equitable economic development. Our team advocates for and promotes Connecticut as a location for companies to compete and grow. www.advancect.org 

About WHI
WHI is a vertically integrated manufacturer of precision components and complex assemblies for diversified end markets. With industry-leading closed-die forging, composite fabrication, 3-, 4- and 5-axis CNC machining, assembly and NADCAP capabilities, WHI has served a global customer base since 1951. www.whiglobal.com

About RVE
Founded in 2014, RVE Partners (RVE) is a New York-based middle-market private investment firm with a focus on industrial and manufacturing sectors. RVE has a long-term investment horizon, with a strategy centered on growing businesses and building value over time. www.rvepartners.com

Press Contact:
Shirar O’Connor
646-496-7668
soconnor@advancect.org