Vermont Chamber looks to promote state firms as suppliers to major manufacturers

Boeing, Siemens and Raytheon top a list of big companies sending representatives to Vermont this coming week to talk with in-state companies about becoming suppliers to the larger manufacturers.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Vermont Supply Chain Conference & Trade Show on Thursday at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.

Chamber officials say supply contracts are a key part of the line of business for Vermont's small specialty manufacturers.

Chris Carrigan, vice president of business development for the chamber, says Boeing has 23 suppliers in the state and spends $88 million a year and supports 2,800 jobs.