Woonsocket’s Brickle Group awarded $84M Navy contract
WOONSOCKET – The Brickle Group, a textile manufacturing company based at 235 Singleton St., has announced that more than 84 million in Defense Logistics Agency contracts were awarded to its subsidiary Northwest Woolen Mills over the last eight months. A third-generation, leading manufacturer in the city, the Brickle Group has been producing textiles for the last 83 years, including the production of the U.S. Military blanket.
In its announcement, the company credited the competitiveness of its proposals to the state’s business-friendly ecosystem and commitment to investing in Rhode Island’s past to drive the future.
The contract awards would not be possible without the tireless leadership and support of Governor Raimondo, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline and Congressman Jim Langevin, on behalf of Rhode Island’s manufacturing and defense industries, the company stated.
Brickle Group has been a key participant in Real Jobs RI, Governor Gina Raimondo’s cutting-edge workforce development platform, and the RI Innovation Network, sponsored by Senator Whitehouse, which has provided the vehicle for the 70 textiles companies in RI to connect and utilize each other to make the Brickle Group a one-stop shop, supply chain solution,
R L H RP S H according to the announcement.
“Manufacturing is in Rhode Island’s DNA,” Governor Gina M. Raimondo said of the contract awards.
“That’s why we’re investing in platforms like Real Jobs Rhode Island that support our workers and homegrown companies like The Brickle Group. I want to congratulate the Brickle Group and their partners on successfully winning these federal contracts. I’m thrilled that they are thriving and growing here in Woonsocket,” Raimondo said.
Brickle Group pointed to the state and its congressional delegation as helping the company to be competitive in its market.
“Through the support of our RI
congressional delegation, Polaris MEP and Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, especially surrounding networking and connecting with both our RI and New England Neighbors, the Brickle Group has been able to establish a supply chain that can meet and exceed the textile demands of the U.S. Department of Defense,” Max Brickle, President of The Brickle Group, said of the awards.
Both the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network RITIN and Real Jobs RI were critical elements of Brickle Group’s success in landing the new contracts, according to Brickle. The networking opportunities provided by RITIN allowed Rhode Island and regional textile companies to organi]e in support of Brickle’s need to pull together a local supply chain that increases efficiencies and lowers costs. The Real Jobs RI platform and
Polaris MEP provided training that helped Brickle develop its internal talent to meet the demanding standards of the Defense Department, as well as insured future access to flexible, on-demand training.
“One of RITIN’s fundamental goals is to increase networking opportunities among Rhode Island’s textile companies,” Brickle said. “So, as an organi]ation, we are thrilled that those networking opportunities played a part in the Brickle Corporation’s ability to pull together a consortium of local companies to land this contract. Rhode Island’s textile community is stronger when we work together,” Brickle said.
The clothing and textiles contracts span over years, with production taking place at the Brickle group’s Woonsocket facility as well at its New England textile partners. The Brickle
Group has been producing the U.S. Military blanket for over 0 years. The U.S. Navy has added its version to the collection, which the Brickle Group is currently producing in its Woonsocket facility. The U.S. Navy Gray blanket is produced of 100 wool, providing warmth and durability to service the warfighter on U.S. Navy ships.
This marks the first year that the Brickle Group has been awarded this contract for Gen III Layer VII Parka and Trousers as well as the Snow Camo Trouser and Parka, according to the company. These items make up the outermost layer of protection of the Gen III Extreme Cold Weather System. Adopted by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, they are designed for use during extreme cold and dry conditions.