Governor Greg Gianforte joined Lattice Materials on Apr. 9 for the groundbreaking of its new advanced manufacturing facility in Bozeman, Montana. The event marked the start of construction on an 80,000 square-foot plant that is expected to create 50 high-paying jobs over the next three years.
The expansion is significant as it highlights Bozeman’s role as a growing center for advanced manufacturing and photonics. Lattice Materials, founded in Bozeman in 1989, currently operates a 30,000 square-foot facility where it manufactures silicon and germanium parts for defense, medical, semiconductor, security, research and renewable energy sectors.
“For over 40 years, Lattice Materials has manufactured germanium and silicon critical for the semiconductor industry right here in Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This expansion and latest investment showcase the Treasure State as a growing hub for advanced manufacturing on the national stage. Montana is proud to be home to companies like Lattice Materials that create good-paying jobs and reduce our dependance on foreign nations for critical minerals.”
During the ceremony at the future site of the facility, Governor Gianforte was joined by Travis Wood, President of Lattice Materials; Scott Bekemeyer, founder and co-chairman of The Partner Companies (TPC), which owns Lattice; and Senator Tim Sheehy from Montana. Construction will begin in May with completion anticipated in 2027. The new plant will more than double Lattice’s current footprint and enable manufacturing capabilities not previously available at this scale in North America.
“This groundbreaking is where strategy and investment turn into real capability,” Travis Wood said. “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.”
Lattice Materials received $18.5 million from the U.S. Department of War in December 2025 to help fund this project due to increasing demand from aerospace, defense and advanced imaging customers.
Scott Bekemeyer said: “This project reflects how long-term investment, public-private alignment and execution come together to build durable manufacturing advantage…Lattice’s expansion strengthens the domestic industrial base while positioning Montana as a growing hub for advanced manufacturing.”
