West Hartford's United Tool & Die Proudly Joins The Boeing Company as a Key Connecticut Partner of its Nationwide Aerial Refueling Tanker Team

"By joining Boeing, we are not only helping to strengthen our national defense, but also helping to shore up small businesses across Connecticut and the nation," Charles Zien, President

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- United Tool & Die Co. (UTD) of West Hartford proudly joins The Boeing Company as a key Connecticut partner of its nationwide team competing for the U.S. Air Force's contract to build a new fleet of aerial refueling tankers.

By joining with Boeing to become part of the United States Tanker team, UTD will become eligible to increase orders if Boeing is awarded the U.S. Air Force tanker contract in mid-2010. UTD is a leader in the manufacturing of aerospace tube & duct and sheet metal components for commercial and military aircraft use.

"We are honored to be long-standing partners of Boeing and have the unique opportunity to be a part of the team that will build next generation of aerial refueling tankers for America's warfighters," said Charles Zien, UTD President. "By joining the Boeing tanker team, we are not only helping to strengthen our national defense and our men and women in the Armed Forces, but also ensuring that family-owned, small businesses like ours continue to be engines of economic growth and prosperity in Connecticut and across the nation," Zien added.

Boeing works with more than 250 companies in Connecticut alone, paying more than $1.1 billion for services and products. If Boeing is awarded the contract, it would support at least 50,000 new and existing jobs across the United States.

UTD is proud to help Boeing deliver an American-designed and American-manufactured tanker that is combat-proven and features the maximum capability at the lowest cost.

About UTD

UTD is leader of manufacturing in the aerospace tube & duct and sheet metal fabrication commodity field. UTD is able to bend tubes and ducts that range in size from 1/4 "o.d. to 6' o.d.(outside diameter). UTD's sheet metal fabrications range from medium complex to extremely complex welded assemblies. The assemblies are comprised predominantly of the following materials: inconel, titanium, stainless steel and aluminum.

For more information on UTD, go to: www.utdco.com

For more information on The Boeing Company, go to: www.unitedstatestanker.com

SOURCE United Tool & Die Co.