Davis-Standard expanding US facility; more space for blown film dies

US extrusion machinery maker Davis-Standard is expanding its primary facility at its headquarters in Pawcatuck, Conn. With the support of Governor Dannel P. Malloy, the State of Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development and local government, Davis-Standard will be adding 15,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and over 30 jobs in the next two years to its largest global site, which currently employs over 400 people. The facility will house the manufacturing and precision machining of advanced multi-layer blown film dies. It also enables Davis-Standard to move all blown film manufacturing for its Gloucester Engineering product line from Gloucester, Massachusetts, to Pawcatuck. The addition is slated for completion later this fall.

“As the largest extrusion machinery manufacturer in North America, this expansion is a necessity for our business,” said Jim Murphy, Davis-Standard President/CEO. “Last fall we acquired Gloucester Engineering, which greatly strengthened our blown film product line through resources in sales, engineering and service. Bringing Gloucester’s manufacturing capabilities to our Connecticut site makes sense for several reasons. One of those reasons is to integrate technology; together we are now the largest manufacturer of seven to 11-layer blown film dies. These dies are used for making highly technical multi-layer films used in packaging and pharmaceutical applications. To that regard, this expansion aligns with our mission of offering customers excellent quality, value and customer service. The larger facility will allow us to do that.”

Davis-Standard has operated in Southeast Connecticut since 1848 and is one of the oldest and largest employers in the Southeast Connecticut/Southwest Rhode Island region. The expansion of the Pawcatuck site reinforces the company’s commitment to the local region. Through its long-standing position as a market leader, it is considered the “Centre for Excellence” for Connecticut’s extrusion technology sector. In addition to the Pawcatuck facility, Davis-Standard has manufacturing facilities and subsidiaries in the US, Europe and Asia.

“We are pleased that a global leader like Davis-Standard is continuing to expand operations in our area,” said Diana Urban, Connecticut State Representative for North Stonington and Stonington. “Davis-Standard has a long-standing history of employment and profitability that is both unique and valuable to our local economy. We wish them well in this venture and appreciate their continued investment in our community.”