Reed: Anthony 'Win-win-win for Coventry'

August 17, 2012

State Senator Jack Reed (D) looks out a window at the work being done in the Anthony section of Coventry's Laurel Avenue Bridge. Jessica Boisclair. Kent County Daily Times.

COVENTRY — Senator Jack Reed made a visit to the Laurel Avenue Bridge yesterday to view the construction progress of the bridge that was greatly damaged by the flooding in 2010.

Senator Reed was joined by Town Manager Thomas Hoover, Town Council President Cary Cote, members of the Cardi Corporation and members of Concordia Fibers, whose facility is adjacent to the bridge.

“We’ve been working with the town since the flood to provide federal resources and rebuild the bridge, as well as stabilize the shoreline so these companies can continue to operate and employ people,” Senator Reed said. “It’s a great example of public-private partnership.”

Randal Spencer, CEO and President of Concordia, gave Senator Reed a tour of the business and explained to him the new process of commingling they have taken on.

Concordia Fibers is a company that produces a variety of fiber-based materials for consumers and industries.

Spencer explained to Senator Reed that currently, they are working on a big project making fibers for aircrafts.

He said the company has developed a process for making thermoplastic fibers mix with carbon fibers, also known as commingling. After the fibers have been subjected to heat and pressure they become composite parts.

He said this is a newly evolved type of textile.

“Nobody would have believed you 20 years ago if you told them we’d be making fabric for airplane engines,” Senator Reed said. “It’s the small businesses like this that are being innovative and changing.”

Concordia Fibers is changing the way the mills run. They have started a different product line; they have built up rooms, taken out the old machinery and build new technology in its place, most of which is their own design.

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