Groundbreaking brings together government, industry and academic leaders to advance U.S. photonics manufacturing.
Bozeman, Mont., (April 9, 2026) – Lattice Materials (Lattice), an advanced manufacturer specializing in custom-grown silicon and germanium crystals and precision optical components and part of The Partner Companies (TPC), has broken ground on a new 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bozeman, Montana. This marks a key execution milestone in the company’s expansion and the buildout of next-generation U.S.-based photonics capabilities.
Held April 8 at the future site at 3565 Prince Lane, the groundbreaking convened federal, state and local elected officials alongside leaders from Montana’s business and academic communities, signaling broad, cross-sector support for strengthening domestic advanced manufacturing and workforce development in the region.
“This groundbreaking is where strategy and investment turn into real capability,” said Travis Wood, President of Lattice Materials. “Bringing together leaders from government, industry and education reflects the shared importance of expanding secure, U.S.-based manufacturing while building the technical workforce needed to sustain it, further reinforcing Montana’s continued emergence as the nation’s photonics epicenter.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027. Once operational, the facility will more than double Lattice’s footprint and enable advanced manufacturing capabilities not previously available at scale in North America, including the largest optical boule growth capacity, expanded internal processing and enhanced precision machining and metrology. Critically, the facility will also introduce recycling processes that allow Lattice to produce seed crystals from scrap material, which reduces dependence on imported raw materials and further strengthens supply resilience for silicon and germanium used in optical applications.
The facility will support growing demand from aerospace, defense and advanced imaging customers by improving scale, tolerances and supply chain resilience.
The project is supported in part by an $18.5 million investment from the U.S. Department of War, translating federal funding into expanded domestic production capacity for critical optical materials. Lattice expects the facility to create approximately 50 new jobs over the next three years and will pursue LEED Gold certification.
“This project reflects how long-term investment, public-private alignment and execution come together to build durable manufacturing advantage,” said Scott Bekemeyer, founder and co-chairman of The Partner Companies (TPC), Lattice’s parent company. “Lattice’s expansion strengthens the domestic industrial base while positioning Montana as a growing hub for advanced manufacturing.”
Project partners include Cushman & Wakefield, Cushing Terrell, JBW Consulting, Engineers and Langlas & Associates Inc.
About Lattice Materials
Founded in 1989 in Bozeman, Montana, Lattice Materials is one of the only U.S.-based manufacturers with the capability to custom-grow silicon and germanium crystals, delivering high-precision optical components that help protect the warfighter and advance critical technologies. The company serves top defense, medical, semiconductor, security, research and renewable energy companies, providing optical blanks, precision optical curve generation, high-precision polishing and machining. A part of The Partner Companies (TPC) since 2016, Lattice benefits from TPC’s integrated manufacturing ecosystem as one of 11 specialty manufacturers. TPC provides a wide range of complementary engineering and manufacturing solutions that combine multiple processes to meet customers’ exact requirements. For more information, please reach out to: https://www.latticematerials.com/contact/.
About The Partner Companies
The Partner Companies (TPC) is a global diversified manufacturing company that creates mission-critical solutions for innovators in the aerospace, defense, energy, medical and technology industries. Founded in 2010, TPC has grown into an international leader with 11 specialty manufacturers in the U.S., U.K., Mexico and Asia: E-Fab, Elcon, Fotofab, Lattice Materials, LT Precision, Microphoto, Optiforms, PEI, Pinnacle Precision, Precision Eforming and UPG. TPC’s specialty manufacturers specialize in photochemical etching, ceramic metallization, crystal growth and electroforming along with core manufacturing capabilities such as injection molding, machining, metal fabrication and finishing. TPC supports each brand with expertise in business growth, operations, finance, human resources, supply chain management and more. For more information about TPC and its specialty manufacturers, visit thepartnercos.com.
