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June 24, 2020

Tolland County wool mill sews up $2M uniform contract

Contributed photo U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney visits with American Woolen owner Jacob Long (left) in May.
By Matt Pilon

American Woolen Co. Inc., a Stafford Springs wool and textiles manufacturer, has secured a $2-million federal contract to produce fabrics for U.S Army uniforms.

The commitment from the U.S. Department of Defense’s industrial policy office is meant to address potential shortfalls in the country’s domestic defense industrial base caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Woolen’s contract was a part of $187 million in contracts announced late last week under the Defense Production Act Title III program.

The mill announced in March that it would temporarily close due to coronavirus concerns, but it appears the disruption has since eased. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney visited the plant in May, tweeting that it had been able to maintain operations at about 90%.

In an announcement distributed by Courtney’s office this week, the congressman called the mill a success story.
“Throughout this pandemic we’ve watched as supply chain breakdowns have disrupted several industries, and that’s why this award is so important for our men and women in uniform,” he said. “This new investment to keep production of U.S. Army uniforms here at home, in eastern Connecticut, will help ensure that the men and women of our armed services have the resources they need no matter what.”

The mill’s owner, Jacob Long, said in a statement that the contract demonstrates the defense department’s “commitment to invigorate the domestic textile industry” and its interest in supporting small businesses.
“This grant will enable American Woolen to make the critical investments required to strengthen its value proposition,” Long said. “We are excited about the future of premium textile manufacturing in New England.”

American Woolen is producing fabrics for a new “Army Green” uniform, the design of which is a callback to World War II style uniforms, which are eventually intended to eventually replace the current blue dress uniform.
That transition is expected to take place by 2027, Military.com reported.

The $2 million in revenue will add to a $1.5 million uniform contract American Woolen secured in 2019. 

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