Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that Randal Spencer, President and CEO of Coventry-based Concordia Fibers, will join him for French President Emmanuel Macron’s address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow morning. Concordia Fibers, which manufactures sophisticated yarns and fibers that are incorporated into composite materials and a diverse range of products, recently expanded its operations with a new plant in Commercy, France.
“I’m pleased that Randal will join us as we gather to celebrate and strengthen our economic bonds and friendship with America’s oldest ally,” said Whitehouse. “Concordia Fibers represents the intersection of two industries that hold great promise for job growth in Rhode Island – advanced textiles and composites manufacturing. With the company’s recent expansion, Concordia Fibers is helping to raise the profile of Rhode Island’s manufacturing expertise across the globe.”
The Composites Alliance of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Textiles Innovation Network were both formed in part as a result of Whitehouse’s efforts to foster collaboration between industry leaders and capitalize on the state’s abundance of manufacturing expertise. Last summer, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation announced a $125,000 federal grant for the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association to develop a composites industry cluster that will promote job creation and economic growth.
“I am very pleased to be able to attend President Macron’s address,” said Spencer. “Our employees at our plant in France were very excited to hear that I would be attending. Our successful expansion into France was a critical step in the development of Concordia’s global strategy into developing advanced composite products for commercial aerospace applications. We have found the support of the French government to be exceptional.”
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