Lattice Materials, a Bozeman company that manufactures custom silicon and germanium crystals for defense, aerospace and semiconductor customers, broke ground Wednesday on a new 80,000-square-foot facility that will more than double its current footprint and create 50 high-skilled jobs over the next three years.
Gov. Greg Gianforte and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy joined company officials at the ceremony for the expansion, which is backed by an $18.5 million federal grant from the Department of War. Construction is set to begin in May and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Founded in Bozeman in 1989, Lattice Materials operates out of a 30,000-square-foot facility and is one of only a handful of U.S.-based companies capable of custom-growing germanium and silicon crystals — materials that are critical components in infrared lenses, windows and mirrors used in defense systems including F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, drones, thermal targeting systems and night vision goggles. The company also serves medical, commercial optics, research and renewable energy sectors.
The expansion comes as demand for domestically produced defense optics has surged, driven in part by concerns over U.S. dependence on foreign sources — particularly China, which has previously imposed export restrictions on germanium, a critical mineral with few domestic producers.
“We’ve built deep expertise and highly specialized processes growing custom silicon and germanium crystals to meet some of the most demanding specifications in the world,” Lattice Materials President Travis Wood said at the ceremony.
Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and founder of Bridger Aerospace, spoke to the strategic significance of the company’s work firsthand. He noted that his aerial firefighting company had purchased silicon and germanium windows from Lattice for infrared targeting optics.
The new facility at 3565 Prince Lane will more than double Lattice’s manufacturing capacity and introduce advanced capabilities not previously available at this scale in North America, according to the company. Lattice also plans to pursue LEED Gold certification for the building.
Company officials said they are working with Montana State University on internship and apprenticeship pipelines to help build the specialized technical workforce the expanded operation will require.
Lattice Materials is a subsidiary of The Partner Companies, a national advanced manufacturing group.