Tru-Hitch gets $7.4M Army contract

Agreement is fourth for local company

BARKHAMSTED >> Barkhamsted based company Tru-Hitch Inc. has struck a $7.4 million contract with the United States Army, according to Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Rep. John Larson, who announced the development in a joint release Monday.

“The contract will procure the reset or repair of up to 90 Fifth Wheel Towing Recovery Devices and 90 Tilt Deck Recovery Trailers, which are used to recover military vehicles that have been damaged in the field,” as described in the release.

Tru-Hitch began production

in 1990 and entered into its first military contract in 1992, according to past reporting.

Larson and Blumenthal have visited the Barkhamsted headquarters of the company in recent years,

All three elected officials applauded the contract.

“Connecticut continues to play a vital role in our nation’s defense,” said Larson in a written statement. “I am proud to see Tru-Hitch, Inc. once again awarded a major contract with our military. It was my great pleasure to visit their Barkhamsted facility last November, where I saw firsthand the tremendous work they have done to allow the safe recovery of military vehicles in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. Congratulations to TruHitch and President Marty Marola on this new award.”

“Tru-Hitch is a Connecticut gem — a small business with an outsized impact helping our nation’s warfighters safely recover vehicles on the battlefield,” said Blumenthal in the statement. “I saw firsthand the skill and ingenuity of their local workforce when I visited the company, and am proud to see their continued success. Connecticut manufacturers play a vital role in supporting our national security, and I will remain a vocal advocate for their unparalleled value in my role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.”

“Tru-Hitch is becoming a go-to for our military when it comes to safely recovering military vehicles,” said Murphy in the statement. “I couldn’t be prouder of the success of Tru-Hitch, and I congratulate Marty and the whole team on this major contract.”

As of November 2015, the company employed 18 people in its Barkhamsted and Torrington locations, according to past reporting.

This is the fourth ongoing contract between TruHitch and the U.S. Army.

More information about Tru-Hitch, including its relationship with the Army, can be found on the company website — truhitch. com.