Manufacturing Awards 2022

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER DANIEL DWIGHT Cooley Group CEO and president Page 4 PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

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2022 PRESENTING SPONSOR MESSAGE

FROM THE EDITOR

As a partner and advisor to RI’s manufacturing community, Polaris MEP celebrates the winners of the 2022 Manufacturing Awards!

Core values endure in ever-changing industry

This year’s honorees demonstrate the way that our sector continues to answer the call, delivering high-quality work even as labor and supply chain challenges persist.

Congratulations to all the winners! And cheers to all the makers and collaborators who keep manufacturing — and Rhode Island — moving forward.

PARTNER SPONSOR MESSAGES Amgen congratulates the winners of the 2022 Manufacturing Awards. We are proud to join you. It is hard work, innovation and dedication to manufacturing that brings us all together. We applaud your pursuit of excellence especially during this challenging time – as your contributions and commitment make the state of Rhode Island and our communities stronger.

Citrin Cooperman is delighted to sponsor the 2022 Providence Business News’ Manufacturing Awards. We extend a huge congratulations to all of the honorees!

As a top professional services provider, Citrin Cooperman is proud to partner with manufacturing companies throughout Rhode Island to help them focus on what counts as they grow and develop their businesses.

Cox Business is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Providence Business News’ Manufacturing Awards and we congratulate all of the honorees this year. Cox Business, a division of Cox Communications, is a family and American owned company and we provided hosted and managed services for businesses of all sizes and industries in Rhode Island and across the United States.

Gallo|Thomas is proud to sponsor the 2022 Manufacturing Awards. We congratulate the outstanding group of 2022 honorees and salute your unique attributes and business acumen. Gallo|Thomas is passionate about serving our clients, our employees, and our local community – and delighted to share this special evening with the companies and individuals honored this year.

New England Tech’s Center for Technology and Industry is proud to sponsor the 2022 PBN Manufacturing Awards.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees. Your selection speaks volumes about each organization’s creativity and determination to succeed.

We are proud of the role NEIT plays in building a skilled workforce for the region’s employers. We are passionate about the future of manufacturing in southeastern New England and excited about tonight’s celebration of the awardees’ accomplishments.

SUCCESSFULLY M ­ ANAGING change is an imperative in every industry, but few can match the track record of the state’s leading ­manufacturers.

This year’s honorees exemplify the best in an industry that in the last century has weathered the Great Depression, growing global competition, recessions and countless economic downturns – not to mention a pandemic.

“You cannot digitize a 100-year-old textile process, build a zero-waste production line, break down functional silos and empower your team members without the willingness to continually change,” said Daniel Dwight, Cooley Group’s CEO and president. He’s this year’s strategic leadership award winner.

But the more products and markets change, the more Dwight and other successful industry leaders rely on core values and priorities to manage them.

Dwight works tirelessly to spread his cando attitude throughout the Pawtucket-based company, known for making membranes for containment of chemicals and other markets.

That approach allows him and his staff to see opportunity in even the most challenging times.

Dwight quickly responded to the pandemic in early 2020 by joining with a competitor to manufacture medical products. By next year, health care products will account for more than 20% of Cooley’s portfolio.

Optimism, along with consistent values and philosophy, has also helped keep Ellis Waldman and Walco Electric Co. leaders in the industry for his nearly half a century tenure as CEO and president.

Waldman, this year’s manufacturing champion, has a “keep-fighting” philosophy that helped push the Providence-based engineering and industrial services company through myriad pandemic challenges.

Read on for more examples of successful adaptation in the face of existential challenges by many of this year’s winners.

We’d like to thank presenting sponsor Polaris MEP and partner sponsors Amgen Inc., Citrin Cooperman & Co. LLP, Cox Business, Gallo|Thomas Insurance Agency Inc. and New England Institute of Technology for their support.

Michael Mello Editor

CONTENTS STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER

EXCELLENCE IN GREEN MANUFACTURING

Katrinkles Inc....................................................................14

Optrel Inc..........................................................................23

OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT AN ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURER

EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY & PERFORMANCE RECORDS

EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTIVITY

OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A LARGE MANUFACTURER

EXCELLENCE AT A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS

OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A MIDSIZE MANUFACTURER

Poyant Signs Inc...............................................................10

EXCELLENCE IN COLLABORATION IN MANUFACTURING

Community College of Rhode Island and Polaris MEP....20

Ellis Waldman, CEO and president, Walco Electric Co............................................................ 25

OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A SMALL MANUFACTURER

EXCELLENCE IN AN EMERGING MANUFACTURER

Manufacturers List..................................................... 26-27

Daniel Dwight, CEO and president, Cooley Group.......... 4

Taco Inc.............................................................................. 6 AstroNova Inc................................................................... 8

Snow Findings Co............................................................. 12

TPI Composites Inc...........................................................16 Reade Advanced Materials..............................................18

Trico Specialty Films Inc...................................................22

EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCT INNOVATION & DESIGN

Amgen Rhode Island....................................................... 24 MANUFACTURING CHAMPION

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2022 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER DANIEL DWIGHT, CEO AND PRESIDENT, COOLEY GROUP

RESILIENT WORKFORCE: Daniel Dwight, left, CEO and president of Cooley Group in Pawtucket, speaks with machine operator ­Henry DaSilva. Dwight says his core motivation is to inspire his team to maintain optimism in the face of an ever-changing environment.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Remaining steadfast, willing to change

BY JOHN A. LAHTINEN | Contributing Writer

PAWTUCKET-BASED Cooley Group has thrived under the watchful

eye of CEO and President Daniel Dwight, who has tirelessly worked not only to strengthen Cooley but also the state’s manufacturing sector.

Dwight says he has always been passionate about building things. In manufacturing, he says, makers are always faced with an endless series of challenges that require constant adaptation.

“You cannot digitize a 100-year-old textile process, build a zero-waste production line, break down functional silos and empower your team members without the willingness to continually change,” Dwight said.

For Dwight, building a company culture where change is the only constant demands an open-minded leadership style. He says his core motivation is to develop and inspire his team to maintain self-confidence and optimism in the face of an ever-changing economic and manufacturing environment.

Dwight’s desire to lead by example came early in his career when he was starting out with General Electric Co., first working with his grandfather Ralph, an operations leader at GE, and later with late CEO Jack Welch. Both men, Dwight said, were adamant about rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

“They didn’t dictate from on-high; they got into the details and led by collaborating with their teams,” Dwight said.

Dwight described Cooley as “organizationally flat,” operating with as little hierarchy as possible in a team-of-teams model. Over the past couple years, despite operating in the

shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dwight has led the company to continued growth.

Cooley entered the health care market in 2020 with a new Healthcare Solutions business unit centered around health care devices that will represent more than 20% of Cooley’s portfolio by 2023.

The company also acquired and fully integrated an operation in Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada, which included more than 100 highly trained but underutilized new team members, along with access to increased production capacity. Dwight says the collaboration has not only increased Cooley’s innovation and new product opportunities, but also expanded its access to cross-facility synergies and best-practice sharing.

Hayley Dwight, Cooley’s director of business architecture and change management, said Daniel Dwight manages in a true lead-by-example manner, regularly getting to work when it’s still dark outside to spend the early hours of the morning thinking about conversations he had the day before or reading industry articles and sending them to people on his team he thinks will appreciate or learn from them.

“Dan understands that a collaborative culture demands a baseline of respect for all of our colleagues, regardless of level, and that every single role is critical to our entire team’s

success,” Hayley Dwight said. “He walks the manufacturing floor at all of our facilities to chat with everyone, get a sense of team morale and, importantly, learn about what we could change to improve performance. These small but incredibly thoughtful tasks he performs regularly add up over time to establish a collaborative culture from the top down and the bottom up.”

As a further example of Daniel Dwight’s dedication, Hayley Dwight said when he first took over the CEO role, he learned that salary discrepancies existed between men and women at the company and he promptly changed that.

“He immediately, without question and without waiting for the typical annual salary bump time frame, increased employees’ salaries and continued to go out of his way to ensure women were sponsored and supported within the organization,” Hayley Dwight said.

Since joining the Rhode Island business community, Daniel Dwight has committed to both Cooley’s sustainable growth and the development of the Rhode Island manufacturing community. He currently serves as a board member for both the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and Family Service of Rhode Island.

Daniel Dwight says Cooley’s future will continue to evolve around its commitment to the three pillars of sustainable growth: economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

“The quality of our environment and the strength of our local communities are imperative to creating long-term stakeholder value,” he said. n

‘Dan understands that ... every single role is critical to our entire team’s success.’

HAYLEY DWIGHT, Cooley Group director of business architecture and change management 4 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

PROUD OF THE COMPANY WE KEEP. At Amgen, we are proud to be recognized by the Providence Business News for Overall Excellence in Workforce Development and Productivity.

Congratulations to this year’s winners for their excellence in each category.

The challenging couple of years didn’t stop any of us and our successes are an indicator of our top talent and commitment to excellence.

Together, we help strengthen and reinvent Rhode Island’s workforce.

Congratulations to this year’s winners.

www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 5

2022 OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT AN ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURER TACO INC. HANDS-ON ASSEMBLY: Taco Inc. machine operators Latsamy Saysana, foreground, and Boumsavanh Le work at the company’s Cranston facility.

Taco manufactures a variety of items, including air and dirt separators, circulatory pumps, thermostats and many heating- and pumping-based products.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Flexible workers, adaptability keep production going at Taco

BY ISABELLA DELEO | Contributing Writer

THE LAST THING many people think about when they go on vacation is

their hot-water tank. But for one Cranston-based organization, it has made it part of its mission to create solutions for everyday home and commercial needs.

Taco Inc., doing business as Taco Comfort Solutions, offers an array of manufacturing products, some of which can help customers avoid their post-vacation worst nightmares.

The company’s LeakBreaker, which can prevent a burst water tank from flooding the basement, and other basement staples such as its SR501 single-zone switching relay used to control circulator pumps can be found in many a home – even if consumers don’t immediately recognize the Taco name. Customers will also find air and dirt separators, circulatory pumps, thermostats, buffer tanks, and many other heating- and pumping-based products from the 100-year-old company.

“On the commercial side, we make pumps, expansion tanks, plate and frame heat exchangers for places that many residents in our community will go to,” including universities and hospitals, said Jon Giampietro, Taco’s senior vice president of operations.

Taco has a LoadMatch single-pipe system that works to reduce humidity, and the company created a custom-made air-dirt separator for Florida State University. Products such as the Zone Sentry Zone Valve and the VT2218 ECM High-Efficiency Circulator work to reduce electricity usage.

Giampietro views the company’s particular appeal as being “very family-oriented.”

“There’s just a very high level of trust between employees and the management here, that it’s not so much about making products and making money,” Giampietro said. “It’s about creating an environment where employees can prosper and do better for their family from one generation to the next.”

Taco, which has facilities in nine cities, including Fall River, as well as in the Czech Republic and Italy, is a large company with more than 500 employees in the Rhode Island location alone. But Giampietro, who joined the company 18 years ago, was attracted to the organization’s culture.

“The sheer size of an organization makes it more difficult to have that personal, family-owned business feel,” he said. “And that was one of the things that drew me to Taco, was they had a reputation for being that type of family-owned company that was very focused on employees.”

John Forcino, vice president of operations, says the company takes pride in the diversity of its staff.

Over the past few years, the company has had to adapt and innovate to stay successful despite the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. Forcino says that employees’ flexibility is key to the business’s success amid challenging times.

“Our strength is diversity in our products and our employees’ willingness and ability to be able to go to where the work is,” Forcino said. “Because in this environment, we could be down a week in some areas,” if supply is down for a particular product, he added.

During the early days of the pandemic, Giampietro said “the flexibility and bravery that our workforce showed during that early time was just so significant and allowed us to continue to be successful as a company – they really should just be recognized for that.

Because without that flexibility and bravery, it would have been very difficult to continue operations and get those pumps for the people’s homes and to the hospitals that needed our pumps during that time.”

For Giampietro, a sense of connectedness within the organization contributes to his optimism for Taco’s future.

“There’s just such a great growth opportunity,” he said. “If the organization is growing, it [allows you] to provide opportunities for people. And to me, that’s really the most exciting part of the position and working with Taco.”

The company is looking ahead but also within.

Forcino is looking forward to company holiday parties, which Taco is organizing again around two years after the pandemic began.

“It’s just that kind of stuff that we’re ­getting back to,” Forcino said. “That’s ­exciting.” n

‘Our strength is diversity in our products and our employees’ willingness … to go to where the work is.’

JOHN FORCINO, Taco Inc. vice president of operations 6 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

Congratulations to all the honorees of the 2022 PBN Manufacturing Awards.

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2022 OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A LARGE MANUFACTURER ASTRONOVA INC. ENHANCED OPERATION: Keila Mendez, a machine operator at AstroNova Inc., works at the company’s West Warwick facility. The company, which designs, manufactures, distributes and services data visualization technologies, hired a new director of quality and continuous improvement and implemented new safety measures that have contributed to improved operations.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Streamlining efforts helping AstroNova to take flight again

BY ANTHONY VECCHIONE | Contributing Writer

ASTRONOVA INC. is bouncing back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and launched several new initiatives that have contributed to an overall improvement in operations, according to company executives.

Those initiatives include hiring a new director of quality and continuous improvement, and implementing new safety measures.

The West Warwick-based company, which designs, manufactures, distributes and services data visualization technologies, is also applying lessons it learned during the pandemic.

“The COVID time has been very difficult,” said Steve Petrarca, AstroNova’s vice president of operations.

“We did a lot to make our employees comfortable and safe. We were short-staffed, had people out sick with COVID, we had people quarantined,” he said. “Thankfully, we have many cross-trained employees and were continually able to fill the gaps when people were out.”

Despite supply chain snags, Petrarca said that the employees in charge of keeping AstroNova supplied displayed “world-class” abilities to find parts to “keep us going.”

“Our buyers found things that I never thought we could find when certain things were not available. It kept our products rolling out the door,” Petrarca said.

Having an in-house engineering department turned out to be a distinct advantage, according to Petrarca, who said that it allowed the company to quickly find accurate alternate sources. “Other companies that do not have this resource would not be able to find

alternate components,” Petrarca said.

The concept of “continuous improvement” is crucial too.

“We have planned events,” Petrarca said.

“We bring in people from throughout the company to look at a manufacturing line of products and how we go about doing it. We discuss if there are better ways to improve quality.”

Starting out as a company that produced data acquisition recorders for commercial and government customers, including NASA, AstroNova created products, such as the first end-user thermal array recorder and the first digital inkjet tabletop color label printer.

AstroNova’s test and measurement, aerospace and product identification brands – QuickLabel and TrojanLabel – serve data acquisition, avionics, packaging identification and specialty printer industries.

The company says its core business philosophy is based on product innovation, technical excellence and customer service. AstroNova prides itself as a global leader in flight-deck avionics and counts numerous major airlines among its customers.

According to Tom Carll, general manager and vice president of AstroNova’s aerospace group, activity in the company’s repair station has continued to increase with the rebound in air passenger traffic.

“We are [a Federal Aviation Administration]-certified repair station. In order to repair

any product that is installed on an aircraft, you have to have FAA certification,” Carll said.

AstroNova has had an FAA certification for more than a decade. “This year the major improvements we made were including ­value-streamed mapping to focus on making that more efficient,” Carll said.

For example, redundancies in printer testing in the repair station were removed. While the testing for production printers made sense, it was found not to be essential for repaired printers.

“The time saved with the reduction of redundant testing was significant and allowed us to streamline operations,” said Carll, who pointed out that AstroNova spends a lot of time cross-training and getting the new hires up to speed on repairs and procedures.

The company has repair station partners in Asia and Europe. At the height of the pandemic, it was not possible to train personnel at remote locations in person. As a result, AstroNova set up remote videoconferencing calls with its technicians sitting in front of a printer, with its partners’ technicians on the other side of the world sitting in front of a printer.

“You can perform remote training from thousands of miles away,” said Carll, who noted that during the coronavirus crisis, the company’s repair station in West Warwick was certified by the Chinese aviation authorities, which was not easy given the time zone and language differences.

“We needed to get certified by the Chinese,” he said. “The remote aspect was a big step for us.” n

‘Our buyers found things that I never thought we could find.’

STEVE PETRARCA, AstroNova Inc. vice president of operations 8 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

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Citrin Cooperman Is a Proud Sponsor of PBN’s 2022 Manufacturing Awards.

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

Citrin Cooperman is one of the nation’s largest professional services firms, providing advisory, assurance, and tax services to businesses throughout Rhode Island.

"Citrin Cooperman" is the brand under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm, and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC serve clients’ business needs. The two firms operate as separate legal entities in an alternative practice structure. Citrin Cooperman is an independent member of Moore North America, which is itself a regional member of Moore Global Network Limited (MGNL).

C I T R I N C O O P E R M A N . C O M

2022 OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A MIDSIZE MANUFACTURER POYANT SIGNS INC. ON TARGET: Natalia P ­ elletier, Poyant Signs Inc.’s senior project manager, and Bill Furey, the company’s channel letter production lead, stand over a sign made for Target.

COURTESY POYANT SIGNS INC.

Employing old family values and new efficiency methods

BY MARY LHOWE | Contributing Writer

POYANT SIGNS INC., a family-owned sign-making business, was founded during the Great Depression. Many of the habits that drove business owners then – thrift, efficiency, using both sides of a sheet of paper – are very much alive today under company President Richard Poyant, grandson of the founder.

Founded in 1938 and based in New Bedford, Poyant Signs creates an array of inventive and artistic signs for dozens of businesses and institutions, from CVS Health Corp. and Dave’s Fresh Marketplace Management Inc., to schools, property developers and medical businesses.

The company employs 60 people, including Richard Poyant’s daughter, Stephanie Poyant Moran as director of sales, representing the fourth generation of the family in the ­company.

In the 1930s, the company’s work rested on skilled craftsmen creating signs by hand. A big bump upward in technology happened in the early 1970s, Poyant said, with the introduction of more mechanization and the use of films rather than cutting tools.

Poyant said the business values of his grandfather and father included integrity, continuous reinvestment in the business, and continuous expansion of capacity and ­capability.

Expansion has happened, in part, by four successive acquisitions of similar businesses between the 1990s and 2019. The first, Poyant said, was a southeastern Massachusetts sign maker and Poyant’s biggest competitor, which was owned by two brothers who wanted to retire.

That acquisition brought on board some

new customers, doubled the size of the business and compelled the company to move from a 12,000-square-foot facility to a new 50,000-square-foot facility. The latest acquisition, in 2019, was of Dion Signs of Central Falls.

Expansion by acquisition is nothing new, but Poyant also is vigilant about adopting up-to-date methods, including its embrace of lean manufacturing. Poyant and a select group of managers conduct a daily 7:30 a.m. GEMBA walk that touches on every workstation in the facility. GEMBA derives from a Japanese phrase that essentially means “going to where the action is.”

Workers can bring up questions, problems or suggestions and get an answer or a promise of further investigation.

“People are more productive and not as frustrated as they might be if we were not taking these actions,” Poyant said.

Poyant Signs has worked hard to hire and develop a staff that buys into its corporate culture, said Ruben Bernardo, the company’s director of operations. One leading principle of the culture is cross-training of workers, making them able and willing to pitch in and help wherever help is needed.

Second, Bernardo said, family ownership of the business has led to a family-like way of management, in the sense that hierarchy

exists but it does not intimidate. This value starts from the top, Bernardo said, and it supports the idea that everyone is approachable, and everyone is accountable.

Poyant has embraced the principles and practices of lean manufacturing, including the principle of Kaizen, meaning continuous improvement. Employees are encouraged to talk about problems in the process, and management then focuses on the process, not on the person who raised the complaint.

Poyant has concluded that being friendly to the environment is cost-effective, smart and true to the thrift values of the company’s founder. It has a rooftop solar system that produces 95% of the company’s electricity.

Last year, it converted the paint system to a low volatile organic compound product. Also last year it installed new air scrubbers and upgraded vacuum systems to clean the air in the production area.

The business, which uses lots of materials of many kinds, also vigorously recycles plastics, wood, aluminum, steel, paper and cardboard.

Stuff that cannot be recycled is squeezed down by a new compactor, thereby reducing use of space in the landfill.

Poyant sees uncertainty in the near future, largely because of economic realities that affect retailers such as high interest rates, a pullback in homebuying and more online shopping.

“A lot of trends are going on and any one of them could affect us,” he said. “It will be 24 months before we see where all of this is going.” n

‘People are more productive and not as frustrated as they might be if we were not taking these actions.’

RICHARD POYANT, Poyant Signs Inc. president 10 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

Celebrating Over a Century of Innovative & Dependable Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Solutions.

Congratulations to all the 2022 PBN Manufacturing Award winners.

We’re proud to call Rhode Island home!

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2022 OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A SMALL MANUFACTURER SNOW FINDINGS CO.

STAMP OF APPROVAL: Snow Findings Co. President Bob Snow and employee Maria Pena work on the metal stamping service company’s manufacturing floor in West Warwick.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Small size allows Snow Findings to nimbly navigate shakeups

BY NANCY KIRSCH | Contributing Writer

AT 71 YEARS OLD, West Warwick-based Snow Findings Co. has managed

industry shakeups by embracing new technologies and new products.

The company manufactures a wide array of stamped metal settings for jewelry and provides stone setting, linking and toolmaking services for the jewelry industry.

“Being a small business and not having lots of overhead and not having many employees allows us to be more nimble through the years to change what we do,” said Vice President Randy Snow, a grandson of company founder William Snow. “We pivot without having to move mountains to make that happen, [and] keeping overhead low has allowed us to weather difficult times without huge capital expenditures.”

President Bob Snow, who is Randy’s father, said, “Years ago, Providence was the jewelry capital of the country, and now there are very few companies left. We had to expand into making magnetic jewelry clasps to stay alive.”

Popular among hobbyists, the magnetic clasps are sold directly to consumers and wholesalers, Randy Snow said. However, the use of Snow Findings’ products by iconic jewelry companies such as Swarovski is declining as those companies navigate the ever-changing world market.

Word-of-mouth, rather than advertising or e-commerce, drives customers’ interest in the company’s products. With no current capacity for internet sales, Randy Snow anticipates bringing the company’s catalog online soon to establish an e-commerce channel.

“Most of the people who did what we do are

gone, so we have a corner on some of the market,” Bob Snow said.

“I think [the business] has been declining dramatically through the last 30 years, but we’re actually in a great position to be the last holdout in some of these areas that will always have some demand,” Randy Snow added.

Embracing modern technology allows the company to stay relevant. While Bob Snow, now 79, was brought up “old school” by making tools via time-consuming and labor-intensive mechanical methods, his son is embracing modern technology such as computer numeric controlled equipment, which produces tools with speed and precision that couldn’t be achieved in the earlier days.

“Using the CNC is so time efficient and enables us to do so many different processes,” Randy Snow said. “We can offer services to other companies that don’t have that technology in-house. We can basically machine anything, from auto parts to one-of-a-kind machine parts for hobbyists.”

With only five employees and ample workspace, the company says meeting COVID-19 safety protocols wasn’t a challenge. Most of the company’s supplies are sourced domestically.

Nonetheless, Snow Findings experienced some pandemic-related delivery delays, but “strate-

gic ordering helped us coast through without disruption,” Randy Snow said.

“Finding and keeping employees has been challenging, given the lack of education and demand for … this trade,” he continued. “In the last eight years, we’ve had [several] people who I thought could be trained, [but] they didn’t work out.”

Bob Snow and his son manage most of the toolmaking processes, given that work’s complexity. The three other employees are cross-trained in all the assembly processes. In past years, some employees spent careers at the company, working there for more than 40 years.

If founder William Snow were to see the company today, he’d be surprised by “the changes in machinery, technology and what we actually make today,” said Bob Snow, who joined the company to work for his father after serving in the U.S. Navy.

“At my age, getting used to new technology is tough,” he said. “I’ve been here 58 years and I’m finding it hard to get into new technology. Randy’s here and he’s trying to teach me; whether it sinks in or not, that’s another story.”

Having joined the company after running his own construction company, Randy Snow said, “I sure hope I’m not the last one to lock the doors. I hope my changes and guidance will be enough to guide us back to some success so that there’s another generation here to run the company.” n

‘We had to expand into making magnetic jewelry clasps to stay alive.’

BOB SNOW, Snow Findings Co. president 12 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

Rhode Island Manufacturers Association extends warm congratulations to all the 2022 PBN Manufacturing Award winners!!

Special congratulations to:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER Daniel Dwight CEO and president, Cooley Group

MANUFACTURING CHAMPION

Ellis Waldman CEO and president, Walco Electric Co.

The hard work, commitment and dedication shown by these manufacturing leaders this year is inspiring.

RIMA is honored to work with these individuals and thrilled to see their peers recognize their accomplishments: ✥ OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A SMALL MANUFACTURER Snow Findings Inc. ✥ OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A MIDSIZE MANUFACTURER Poyant Signs ✥ OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT A LARGE MANUFACTURER AstroNova Inc. ✥ OVERALL EXCELLENCE AT AN ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURER Taco Inc. ✥ EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCT INNOVATION & DESIGN Optrel Inc. ✥ EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTIVITY Amgen Inc. ✥ EXCELLENCE IN GREEN MANUFACTURING Katrinkles Inc. ✥ FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS Reade Advanced Materials ✥ EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY & PERFORMANCE RECORDS TPI Composites ✥ EMERGING MANUFACTURER Trico Specialty Films ✥ COLLABORATION IN MANUFACTURING Community College of Rhode Island and Polaris MEP

RIMA

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www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 13

2022 EXCELLENCE IN GREEN MANUFACTURING KATRINKLES INC. WHIMSICAL PRODUCTS: Katy Westscott, CEO of Katrinkles Inc. in Providence, which makes buttons and tools for crafters, goes over some of the company’s products with production technician Brandon Amorin.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Getting crafty about helping the environment

BY SARAH FRANCIS | Contributing Writer

BE THE CHANGE you want to see in the world, an axiom attributed to

Gandhi, could also be the operating through line at Katrinkles Inc., according to company CEO Katy Westcott.

Westcott, a Rhode Island School of Design grad and jewelry maker, launched Katrinkles, a small Providence-based business making whimsical buttons and tools for crafters, in 2012. The idea started as a side hustle, Westcott says. She found an audience on Etsy and local fiber festivals, and that allowed the company to grow without a huge financial investment. In the beginning, Westcott operated solo, but crafters responded. She bought her first laser machine in 2014. In 2017, Westcott hired her first two employees. Now there are 12 who do cutting, finishing and shipping.

Although being green had always been a personal priority for Westcott, Katrinkles didn’t start that way.

“As the company got bigger, I realized it’s important. I don’t pretend to be an expert on sustainable policies,” she said, “but we only have one Earth, and we want to make it a better place.”

Marianne Harris, Katrinkles’ chief operating officer, said she’s proud to work for a company that “doesn’t just talk about being sustainable, but is actively looking to make small changes that matter.”

Katrinkles uses sustainable woods whenever possible, Westcott says, and using local businesses reduces carbon emissions from shipping and transportation. Product packaging is made by a Johnston company. Katrin-

kles’ tools are cut from wood that’s sourced from a Narragansett business and trees grown in upstate New York. “I’m glad we’re using local cherry,” Westcott said. “It’s beautiful.”

Westcott says she and her colleagues are always brainstorming ways to develop high-quality tools that last a lifetime. Katrinkles makes everything in-house. Buttons fashioned from bamboo plywood and knitting-needle gauges from cherry are sustainable, lightweight and strong.

Perhaps the most popular tool on Katrinkles’ website is a darning loom made of birch.

Do-it-yourselfers use them to mend pesky holes in socks and jeans. Westcott and her staff hatched the idea during the COVID-19 quarantine. As more people started working at home, she says, they were encouraged to mend their clothes, rather than toss them.

Not only was the trend good for the environment, it also signaled the importance of keeping things that are well-worn and wellloved. “We want to celebrate that,” Westcott said.

Shipping boxes are sealed with paper rather than plastic tape, and bubble wrap has been replaced with recyclable shipping envelopes that are themselves made from 100% recycled paper. With five international packages being shipped from Providence each week, and 600 packages a month to addresses in the U.S.,

that’s a lot of space being saved in landfills.

Other innovations have been more serendipitous. Case in point: the recent introduction of NOBUTTONPACKAGING, a discount that has proved to be popular. Shoppers who receive their buttons in environment-friendly glassine bags get a 10%-off coupon. “It started because a woman in New Jersey kept returning her packaging. It made me realize not everyone likes it,” Westcott said.

“Our packaging is cute but ultimately it ends up getting recycled, so giving the option to remove it altogether can mean a lot to a customer,” Harris said.

Even clean, leftover wood scraps from laser cuttings are stuffed into lawn bags, typically two per week, and available to anyone who wants kindling for wood stoves and campfires.

For Katrinkles, doing well by doing good has proved to be a healthy business practice, selling to knitters and crocheters through the online retail site, as well as to 800 wholesale stockists. Although Westcott doesn’t disclose specific numbers, she says the company’s revenue has climbed a healthy 25% each year for the last several years.

But does Katrinkles’ emphasis on sustainability make sense economically? The short answer is not always, Westcott says.

“We pay to recycle acrylic scraps. It takes more time, so it’s less economical. Our paper packaging is recycled, but it’s more expensive.

Still, it’s better for the environment,” she said.

“The bottom line is: what makes sense to us, makes sense for the planet.” n

‘The bottom line is: what makes sense to us, makes sense for the planet.’

KATY WESTCOTT, Katrinkles Inc. CEO 14 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

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2022 EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY & PERFORMANCE RECORDS TPI COMPOSITES INC. SAFETY FIRST: Laurie Haruben, foreground, TPI Composites Inc.’s plant manager, and her team have implemented several initiatives at the Warren facility to maintain and improve workplace safety.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Having the right tools to maintain a safe environment

BY NOEMI ARELLANO-SUMMER | Contributing Writer

WORKING FOR CUSTOMERS in the turbine and automotive

industries, such as General Electric Co. and Proterra, Warren-based composites manufacturer TPI Composites Inc. has dedicated itself over the past few years to serving its customers, while improving its safety and performance.

The company’s recent safety culture program, called Journey to Zero, aims to reduce its incident rate of safety issues and workplace accidents, such as an employee getting cut or getting something in their eyes, to zero incidents. The program has been successful in greatly lowering the incident rate, according to TPI Senior Director Pamela Lynch.

“We had an overall vision to improve [workplace safety],” Lynch said. “We thought, ‘How are we going to achieve everything?’ ” The company, therefore, focused on reducing quality issues and correcting problems for its employees in a manner that is more methodical than anything it has done before.

TPI Composites implemented several programs within the last year designed to improve safety and performance, including visually managing workspaces, housekeeping to further reduce dust and keep physical materials organized, and running hazard assessments.

Those resulted in useful tools such as reels, ramps and personal protective equipment for employee use. Ramps in particular ensure employees are not bending over constantly in the course of their work, alleviating back injuries.

Smaller buffers have also helped employees with ergonomic issues.

Plant Manager Laurie Haruben has been vital to the company over the past couple of

years by helping to improve safety and performance. “Laurie identified areas that needed support and improvement and worked closely with plant leadership to strengthen operational cadence and improve performance,” Lynch said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TPI Composites focused on expanding its manufacturing and transportation sectors. Additionally, the company’s Rhode Island office underwent a major renovation within the last two years, which included upgrading the manufacturing floor layout, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and lighting. Lynch says these fixes have improved working conditions for employees.

While working on safety and performance as a company, TPI Composites has greatly encouraged its employees to get involved in improving both areas as well. Behavior-based observation forms allow employees to write about risks they noticed regarding another employee or a procedure that could become dangerous down the line and should therefore be improved. Communication about health and safety with employees has also been ongoing in three different languages and, Lynch said, the change has been “engaging in the best way.”

Haruben has also continued to focus heavily on safety. She said the team is “also open to

benchmarking other organizations who have an excellent track record to bring new and innovative ideas to our work areas.”

“Laurie’s leadership is the reason TPI has more than doubled our manufacturing production outputs and has paved the way for future automotive business,” Materials Manager Lucy Matos said. “Laurie has made improvements in overall plant layout, processes and reinforced a strong commitment to quality being built into our deliverables, while also creating a culture of engagement, trust and pride in our collective accomplishments.”

Environmental and Sustainability Manager Michael Scannell said TPI Composites had its overall lowest lost-time incident rate and recordable incident rate in 2021, both of which show great improvements in performance and safety. The lost-time incident rate measures the amount of time lost when working due to an incident such as a broken leg, while the recordable incident rate measures the total amount of incidents that occurred on a work site within a year. The company has also begun using lean manufacturing to reduce time used during different manufacturing ­processes.

TPI Composites weathered the pandemic by making sure its customers received what they needed and implementing its vision to improve. The company’s performance and safety measures stayed strong and even improved due to dedicated employees jumping in and sharing their own ideas for what would improve the company and make a critical impact. n

‘We had an overall vision to improve [workplace safety].’

PAMELA LYNCH, TPI Composites Inc. senior director

16 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

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www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 17

2022 EXCELLENCE AT A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS READE ADVANCED MATERIALS FROM A TO ZINC: From left, Reade Advanced Materials Director of Marketing Elisabeth Reade Law and controller Amanda Reade Sturgeon hold a couple pieces of zinc while on a recent plant tour visiting zinc dust suppliers.

COURTESY READE ADVANCED MATERIALS

Fifth generation keeps Reade sourcing chemicals for clients

BY NOEMI ARELLANO-SUMMER | Contributing Writer

READE ADVANCED MATERIALS has been a family business

for five generations. It was established in 1773 and has been sourcing specialty chemical solids ever since.

Working with a range of customers from academic research and design teams to giants in the manufacturing world such as Tesla Inc., Reade Advanced Materials was originally based in Wolverhampton, England, before moving to East Providence.

President Emily Reade, who began working to professionalize the company’s administrative side after leaving a bank job in 1989, feels that family has always been tied up in the business. She remembered that family dinners always included some element of business talk.

Her two daughters, Elisabeth and Amanda, now make up the fifth generation of family to work at Reade Advanced Materials, and Reade remembers giving them small jobs to do around the office when they were young.

“Business and family have been coupled together in my life for as long as I can remember,” Amanda Reade Sturgeon, a controller at Reade Advanced Materials, said in an email.

Elisabeth Reade Law, who works as the company’s director of marketing, said, “I gained business tips before I was old enough to work. I’ve always had a love of manufacturing and minerals from my father, and it’s great to be a part of that.”

The company specifically sources dry specialty chemicals, as opposed to wet chemicals.

It works with ferrous and nonferrous alloys and powders, with materials shaped into bars

and rods or crushed into powder.

Reade said she feels strongly about keeping the family legacy going. She recalled that her husband, Charles, has always said he plans to keep the business running for the next 100 years.

“I’m proud of the family legacy we’ve worked for and with, and it’s time to look to the future,” she said.

The pandemic and supply chain issues wreaked havoc on the company, though both Law and Reade felt the company landed on its feet.

“We’ve been fortunate, but we have had a hard time keeping up with demand for raw materials,” Law said.

Some suppliers had difficulties, so Reade Advanced Materials made a point to stay flexible and was able to find new sources of requested materials. Law said that demand has been high for carbonites, materials for water filtration, alloys used in 3D printing, and magnetites.

One goal for Reade Advanced Materials now is to branch out further into sustainable, biobased products. Law mentioned pecan, almond and walnut shell products, which are currently used in water filtration projects.

The company is expanding its Rhode Island office space and plans to complete that work by next year. Reade Advanced Materials is also

updating its website, product line and marketing plan, aiming to shift its vision slightly and launch a more streamlined product list.

“I was surprised that we were prepared to face the pandemic,” Reade said. “But we worked remotely and carried on with little disruption.”

The company made the fortuitous decision to upgrade its information technology programs just before the pandemic hit, which proved immediately useful when every employee needed to work remotely. Starting to use Microsoft Teams, Reade said, was a “minor update in a normal world but amazing then.”

Both Law and Reade feel that they have a more cohesive team since they began bonding through remote meetings.

Law began connecting with other women who work in their families’ manufacturing businesses over the course of the last few years, specifically a woman who is with one of their suppliers.

“We’ve had great camaraderie, as we’re both trying to keep businesses running,” Law said.

Reade said that supplier has worked with Reade Advanced Materials for generations, adding that her husband had a good relationship with that woman’s father.

“There’s a bond among family businesses when generations work together,” she said.

Both Law and Reade feel strongly about keeping the business and the family legacy going. Law said proudly that she and her sister are both “part of that ongoing story.” n

‘There’s a bond among family businesses when generations work together.’

EMILY READE, Reade Advanced Materials president 18 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

Promoting the RI Community for nearly a century,

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in Rhode Island.

www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 19

2022 EXCELLENCE IN COLLABORATION IN MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND AND POLARIS MEP

GETTING TECHNICAL: Community College of Rhode Island student Stephanie Bacon works on a computer screen while taking the college’s Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing program in partnership with Polaris MEP. COURTESY COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND

CCRI partners with Polaris MEP to train workforce of the future

BY ANTHONY VECCHIONE | Contributing Writer

WHILE SCHOLARS DEBATE the merits of a four-year college

education, community colleges continue to fill the gap when it comes to helping students get jobs, thanks in part to strategic partnerships with industries.

The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships works in close collaboration with industry and business leaders to ensure the college’s offerings are meeting both current and future workforce needs. Gross revenue for the past three years for CCRI Workforce Partnerships was $15.6 million.

Polaris MEP, a statewide nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, provides competitive business improvement programs to grow Rhode Island’s manufacturing industry.

The computer numerical control manufacturing program called Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing is one example of a popular and successful collaboration between CCRI and Polaris MEP. The first cohort began in September 2017 when CCRI and Polaris MEP launched the program. To date, they have completed 16 cohorts.

Currently, the program is in phase 1 for cohort 17, both at CCRI, with 15 students enrolled, and at the R.I. Department of Corrections women’s facility, where six inmates are currently enrolled.

So far, 175 students have completed phase 1 and 90 students have moved onto phase 2.

In addition, 64 students have completed all six courses and received their CNC certifi-

cate from CCRI. Students have been placed at more than 50 different manufacturers in Rhode Island.

CCRI and Polaris MEP employees are encouraged to take part in training offered by both organizations. CCRI provides credit courses offered from CCRI, Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island to eligible employees at no cost. With the additional training, and in some cases additional college degrees, career advancement is accelerated.

In phase 1, students earn 13 college credits in the 19-week program that introduces the fundamentals of manufacturing, safety, precision measurement and blueprint reading.

They also get job interview training, resume building and help finding their first position in manufacturing as a CNC operator, quality control person, or entry-level manual machinist or toolmaker. Students also earn Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA-10 certification.

While in phase 2, students earn six college credits while learning deeper skills and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing processes to become a CNC machinist.

“Polaris MEP, being the industry partner, had access to a lot of different employers that they were able to bring into the college to sit down with us and review curriculum that existed and make some suggestions on how it could be improved and what gaps there were,”

said Jaime Nash, CCRI executive director of workforce operations.

Nash says the goal of the program is to get people on an entry-level career path where they make good wages and ultimately get a certificate or degree.

“It’s a wonderful partnership and a great example of how collaboration can work to strengthen outcomes and reduce duplication of services,” said Lindsey Brickle, Polaris MEP senior workforce manager.

“People who are hiring in the program want to hire more. The demand for CNC machinists is outpacing the need, so we are working with our partners to increase capacity in the state and help reduce barriers to accessing training and employment,” Brickle said.

James Thomson, coordinator of the CNC manufacturing program at CCRI, says feedback from the students has been positive.

“The feedback from a lot of students has been: ‘I knew this was going to be a good program. I heard about it from my employer or my neighbor. But it is even better than I thought it was going to be. I feel more prepared and more ready for either enhancing my skills in this area or pivoting,’ ” Thomson said.

One-quarter of the students that have gone through the program have earned a bachelor’s degree.

“So, they come back to what they love, working with their hands and doing what they want to do versus what their parents or some influencer has told them that they should do,” Thomson said. n

‘It’s a wonderful partnership and a great example of how collaboration can work to strengthen outcomes.’

LINDSEY BRICKLE, Polaris MEP senior workforce manager 20 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

Call READE First!

Call READE First!

Call READE First!

Leaders in Chemical Sourcing Since 1873 Call READE First!

Call READE First!

Leaders in Chemical Sourcing SinceSince 18731873 Leaders in Chemical Sourcing Leaders in Chemical Sourcing Since 1873 Leaders in Chemical Sourcing Since 1873

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 PBN MANUFACTURING 2022 PBN MANUFACTURING 2022 PBN MANUFACTURING CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022AWARD PBN MANUFACTURING HONOREES! AWARD HONOREES! 2022AWARD PBN MANUFACTURING HONOREES! AWARD HONOREES! AWARD HONOREES!

Congratulations to our clients and friends chosen for PBN’s 2022 Manufacturing Awards!

Reade Advanced Materials is honored to selected be selected as the recipient of Reade Advanced Materials isishonored honored tobe be selected asthe the recipient Reade Advanced Materialsis honoredto be recipient Reade Advanced Materials honored selected asas recipient ofofof of Reade Advanced Materials to be selected asthe the recipient the Manufacturing 2022 Award for the Family-owned Business category. the Manufacturing 2022Award Awardfor forthe theFamily-owned Family-ownedBusiness Business category. the Manufacturing 2022 for the Family-owned Business category. the Manufacturing 2022 Award for category. the Manufacturing 2022 Award the Family-owned Business category.

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Congratulations and the 5th generation continue the legacy.

Congratulations toour our fellow winners in Rhode Island manufacturing community! to fellow winners thethe Rhode Island manufacturing community! totoour fellow winners in Rhode Island manufacturing community! to our fellow winners ininthe the Rhode Island manufacturing community! our fellow winners in the Rhode Island manufacturing community!

East Providence, • reade.com East Providence, RI •RIreade.com East RI•••reade.com reade.com EastProvidence, Providence, RI East Providence, RI reade.com

We recognize your effort and excellence in local manufacturing. We understand how important it is to have lawyers on your team who operate like true business partners. We thank you for your trust.

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PRESIDENTS’ 2023 FORECAST CEOs, presidents, owners, partners-in-charge, association directors, heads of companies and local organizations will comment on the region’s economy, their industries and/or their companies in the coming year. You’ll have your chance to share your company’s projections and vision for 2023 in this PBN special advertising section.

Publication Date: February 17, 2023

Advertising Deadline: February 8, 2023

Reserve your space today!

Contact your Account Manager or Advertising@PBN.com | 401.680.4800 www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 21

2022 EXCELLENCE IN AN EMERGING MANUFACTURER TRICO SPECIALTY FILMS INC.

HIGH ROLLER: Greg Viera, left, a machine operator, and Frank Costa, ­senior machine operator, work on the manufacturing floor at plastics maker Trico Specialty Films Inc. in North Kingstown.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Acquisition allows plastics maker to expand, add production lines

BY KIMBERLEY EDGAR | Contributing Writer

SALES EXPLODED BY 230% in 2021-22 for North Kingstown plastics-

extrusion and plastics-film manufacturer Trico Specialty Films Inc. The growth last fiscal year, compared with 18% in 2020-21, followed its January acquisition of a 40,000-square-foot factory about 2 miles from its original plant and headquarters on Compass Circle in the Quonset Business Park.

Adding the Old Baptist Road site to its operations propelled Trico to exponential expansion.

With two more production lines and increased capacity, Trico met demand from its growing clientele, including the outgoing factory owner’s clients. Customers have flocked to the domestic manufacturer since COVID-19 stymied global supply chains.

“That is, obviously, the biggest impact,” said Steven Mitchell, Trico president and Arlin Mfg. Co. vice president.

Lowell, Mass.-based Arlin bought Trico in 2016 and brought it under Arlin’s umbrella as a subsidiary to satisfy its supply needs. Mitchell and his two brothers, John and Paul, continue to run Arlin, which was founded by their father in 1954.

“It was a backward-integration acquisition to ensure a continuous source of supply,” said Paul Conforti, Trico chief financial officer.

Buying the Old Baptist Road factory from Toray Plastics (America) Inc. allowed Trico to boost its offerings from two types of plastic films to three.

Each begins with small polypropylene pellets that are melted into viscous fluid that the machines then apply to rollers for different treatments, creating films in various colors,

thicknesses, strengths and properties.

Monoaxially oriented polypropylene is a plastic film stretched forward as it goes through the machine to create high-strength films often used by the cable industry as a binder before jacketing cable.

Biaxially oriented polypropylene is a film stretched forward through the machine, and then from left to right to toughen it, creating different properties that offer transparency, durability and suitability for printing.

Cast polypropylene is a film that isn’t stretched but cast onto the roll as molten liquid, then cooled to the desired shape. The printing industry uses this type of film to print graphic advertisements.

The finished products are wound onto large rolls and can be up to 10 feet across, about 2.5 feet in outer diameter and weigh up to 1 ton.

In many cases, these rolls are slit into smaller widths and weights such as the 1/16-inch plastic film used by chewing-gum manufacturers to provide a pull tab for customers to open packs of gum and pull out a stick to chew.

“We have built a reputation over the years on quality and responsiveness and our ability to meet customers’ specifications,” Conforti said. “That’s only helped us to grow, and that’s due to our people.”

The January expansion prompted Trico to more than double its workforce – from 20 to about 50 employees – to operate the two additional production lines at the Old Baptist Road site.

Conforti works with Director of Operations Theodore “Ted” M. Coburn, the son of Trico founder Theodore R. Coburn, to run the 28-year-old company.

“We have a great team in place,” Mitchell said. “We’re looking forward to applying their capabilities now to growing the company forward.”

Trico, which began a new fiscal year on Oct. 1, has been embracing strategies to keep business booming should the economy do more than flirt with hibernation from bull to bear market.

“Right now, we’re looking at investments that are in the facility that are going to allow us to improve our efficiency,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve already made some commitments to new equipment we’re going to be adding down there. We’re really excited about how it’s going to improve our efficiency.”

Mitchell and Conforti traveled to Philadelphia in early October to build relationships with several existing customers and court potential new clients.

Trico has other products in the pipeline and operational staff skilled in new-product development to cater to potential new customers’ needs and wants.

“That is also a big focus for next year – a combination of sales and development,” Mitchell said. n

‘We have built a reputation over the years on quality and responsiveness.’

PAUL CONFORTI, Trico Specialty Films Inc. chief financial officer 22 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

2022 EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCT INNOVATION & DESIGN OPTREL INC. INNOVATION LEADER: Grant Cooper, CEO of Optrel Inc. in East Greenwich, says the manufacturer primarily focused on industrial protection, such as the welder helmets seen behind him, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now Optrel has transitioned into products that are more health care friendly.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Be it for industrial or health needs, Optrel all about protecting people

BY ISABELLA DELEO | Contributing Writer

WHETHER IT IS MANUFACTURING products for health care

workers or for welders, Optrel Inc. is looking to create something new that isn’t already available on the market.

The company is on a mission “to be the innovation leader in everything we do, it’s as simple as that,” CEO Grant Cooper said. “We just try to find better ways to make products to make people’s lives more productive, safer, healthier.”

Optrel, which focuses on manufacturing equipment for industrial and health care needs, has witnessed a change in the products that the company produces over the last few years, and understandably so during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were primarily focused on industrial protection leading up to the pandemic. And I always like to say we went from talking to welders on a Friday to doctors on a Monday,” Cooper said. “Since the pandemic started, we’ve really transitioned into products that are more health care friendly.”

One of the company’s greatest recent releases was the introduction of a clear NIOSH-approved N95 face mask, the first of its kind in the world. The product allows the wearer’s facial expressions to be seen, which can improve accessibility and facilitate communication.

“A common complaint you receive all the time with a traditional N95 no matter what occupation you had, or if you were just someone walking down the street, was that it made communication difficult,” said Jeff Morris, Optrel’s business development specialist.

Another benefit?

“It’s nice to see a smile sometimes,” Cooper said.

From ideation stage to submitting for approval, the process of creating the clear N95 mask took about nine months, Cooper says, which is far quicker than the timespan for most of Optrel’s products. He says most take a few years before they’re ready to hit the market.

But gaining a foothold in the health care industry hasn’t been without its challenges.

“Health care is a challenging industry because a lot of people are set in their ways, a lot of these products require fit testing and things like that where people don’t want to have to change products,” Cooper said. “A lot of ... time is spent working, trying to get a stronghold into the health care industry.”

Optrel operates with a small, seven-person team in Rhode Island.

“But we’re looking to add,” Cooper said.

Morris, who started at the company in January, said Optrel has an “open-door policy, and everyone’s kind of on the same level here.

So, everyone’s ideas are heard, no matter who you are. The culture allows for everyone to

speak their mind pretty much. And that plays into the innovation. Everyone is encouraged to speak their ideas.”

Optrel, which has an East Greenwich office and a manufacturing facility in Switzerland, has been bringing its ideas to Rhode Islanders and making efforts to become more involved in the business and tech communities locally.

Cooper says Optrel has been collaborating with the New England Institute of Technology in terms of donating welding products to the school and has also joined the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.

“Even though we are headquartered in Switzerland, we’re truly a Rhode Island-based company,” Cooper said. “And we are really looking to expand our presence within Rhode Island and become more of a community member than we have in the past. Our focus has always been on a national scale, but we’re really trying to do some things locally to help the community.”

During the fall, Optrel is gearing up to unveil a new product at the Atlanta convention Fabtech in November. Cooper hints that it “gives workers everything they’ve ever really asked for in a welding helmet.”

Optrel is working to put new products in people’s hands.

For Morris, Optrel is about “getting out there in the field and having that face-to-face time. It’s one thing to read about a product online, but it’s another to actually have [it] in your hands.” n

‘We just try to find better ways to make products to make people’s lives more productive, safer, healthier.’

GRANT COOPER, Optrel Inc. CEO www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 23

2022 EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTIVITY AMGEN RHODE ISLAND TEAMWORK: From left, Amgen Rhode Island manufacturing associate Alexandra Marzilli, senior associates Matt Miller, Jie Wen Yang and Kate Boucher, and Front Line Manager Marissa Burke work together in a section of the company’s new West Greenwich plant that employs single-use technology to manufacture drug substances.

COURTESY AMGEN RHODE ISLAND

Amgen strives to find, groom new talent through various avenues

BY SARAH FRANCIS | Contributing Writer

AS ONE OF THE LARGEST manufacturing companies in the state,

Amgen Inc. has a history of encouraging and supporting its workforce. Its sprawling West Greenwich facility is home to what officials describe as a state-ofthe-art, next-generation biotechnology operation.

The production line of therapies is long, focusing on treatments for oncology/hematology, immunotherapy and cardiovascular diseases, among others. At least one, Enbrel, is a household name. Amgen’s reported overall revenue climbed from $23.4 billion in 2019 to $26 billion in 2021.

A significant number of the roughly 900 ­Amgen Rhode Island employees are long-timers, according to Tara Urban, the biotechnology manufacturer’s senior manager of corporate affairs. Some have 10 or even 20 years under their belt. In fact, Amgen places a heavy emphasis on shepherding and retaining talent and the Rhode Island facility strives to be a magnet in the STEM – or science, technology, engineering and math – fields.

Its employment policy plays the long game.

The goal is to familiarize young minds with a love of science and its potential as a rewarding career path, according to officials. “It’s neat when we hear students say they learned about Amgen in high school,” Urban said. “And we have employees who’ve been on staff since college.”

A company recruitment video highlights Amgen’s locations from Rhode Island to California, Florida and Puerto Rico. The company’s message notes that opportunities for in-house growth exist, even for those who

might otherwise hop around.

Amgen’s talent pipeline uses several entry points. The Westerly Education Center has a processing technology certificate program that focuses on biotechnology. Amgen recruits from there, as well as from the New England Institute of Technology, where students, typically with an electrical, instrumentation or mechanical engineering background, do co-ops with the company’s facilities and engineering teams.

“We want students to know about us as early as possible,” said Brian Britson, Amgen Rhode Island vice president of site operations.

In 2021, the company virtually hosted 19 summer university interns, including five from the University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Providence College. Students from Lincoln-based William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School also can experience Amgen through internships. That real-world experience helps match them with higher education interests, or they may decide to move directly into the job market.

“It’s important that we engage with the community,” Britson said.

Dania Gonzalez-Guzman, Amgen’s executive director and quality site head, agrees. She said these programs are critical to the company’s success.

“Hopefully, when they join the workforce, it will be with us,” Gonzalez-Guzman said.

Enhancing professional development also helps company growth. Amgen offers rotation programs that expose employees to areas beyond those they’re formally trained in.

Competitive tuition reimbursement, quality enhancement tools such as training in Six Sigma, as well as coaching and mentoring are part of the mix.

Amgen also partners with the Community College of Rhode Island to train employees in technical writing and management, with a particular focus on data analytics, said Gonzalez-Guzman.

Productivity is also critical to Amgen’s success. The Rhode Island site has introduced a networkwide scheduling tool that’s available to the global team. This new, large-scale system allows real-time data updates and access to a schedule that tracks more than 400 simultaneous, ongoing tasks.

The manufacturing side has a labor monitoring tool that allows managers to quickly recognize the effect of production changes and how they’ll affect their employees.

In addition, the Rhode Island site has developed a real-time energy usage dashboard that identifies where energy use can be reduced.

Some $100,000 in operating costs and more than 400 labor hours were avoided as a result.

It all contributes to the bottom line, officials said.

“Our goal is to continue to hire and advance our staff,” Britson said, “and to grow from within.” n

‘It’s neat when we hear students say they learned about Amgen in high school.’

TARA URBAN, Amgen Rhode Island senior manager of corporate affairs 24 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

MANUFACTURING CHAMPION ELLIS WALDMAN, CEO AND PRESIDENT, WALCO ELECTRIC CO.

DEEP CONNECTION: Walco Electric Co. CEO and President Ellis Waldman learned about the manufacturing business from his family, including his late father, Edmund, who founded the company in 1931.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Walco’s Waldman creates a pathway to success

BY JOHN A. LAHTINEN | Contributing Writer

ELLIS WALDMAN HAS BEEN CEO AND PRESIDENT of

Providence-based Walco Electric Co. for nearly 50 years, a tenure that affords him a unique perspective about not just how the company works but how each and every piece of the company fits together to create a pathway to success.

His personal connection to Walco runs much deeper. Waldman’s late father, Edmund, started the company in 1931. Waldman says his grandfather bought and sold used textile equipment. But when his grandfather fell ill, Waldman’s father helped by selling the remaining inventory of used equipment, Waldman said.

“At times, it was necessary to have the electric motors on that equipment repaired.

My father, being a degreed engineer, decided to repair the motors himself rather than send them to a repair shop, and that was the beginning of Walco,” Waldman said. “I witnessed his creativity and willingness to try something new, as well as his willingness to let go of something that lost its relevance.

That is not always easy. Most importantly, I witnessed his ability to be strong and address difficult situations while still being caring and considerate of others.”

Today, the diversified, high-tech automation engineering and industrial service company has 86 employees and serves multiple industries, including rail and defense.

Under Waldman’s guidance, Walco has secured new business and is expecting significant sales growth over the next three years.

It was accomplished thanks to a leadership

philosophy grounded in tried-and-true principles such as treating everyone with respect, building trust by being open and honest, being direct, not limiting the capabilities of team members and having a clear vision for the company.

Waldman admits he still sometimes struggles with trying not to carry too much of the load on his own. Waldman said that early on when he learned of a problem or even an opportunity, he would spend time alone crafting possible ways to address the situation, only then asking others what they thought of those approaches and ultimately choosing a path.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested Waldman’s leadership and forced him to make many critical decisions. In early March 2020, he ordered the implementation of all recommended safety guidelines at Walco, but the company never closed its doors and no employees were laid off.

“We kept our salespeople and engineers at home and we serviced those customers who would let us into their building because they simply could not continue to operate without Walco fixing their machines,” Waldman said.

“We employed ‘combat’ pay, a percentage increase to all our team members who came to work in our plant and traveled to service

our customers. Business did slow, sometimes dramatically, but we continued to employ and pay our team members.”

Kevin Harris, who managed Walco’s rail transportation and quality assurance and now oversees the company’s new entrepreneurial operating system management program, said Waldman is the most dedicated man he has ever known with a “customer comes first” ethic that has permeated the company.

“Ellis has a ‘never give up’ attitude,” Harris said. “When all is lost, he will still be encouraging and inspiring us to find a solution. His optimism helps us to achieve what we might not have without his prompting. During the pandemic, he worked passionately and tirelessly to make sure we kept the doors open.”

Waldman serves on the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association’s executive board and other local community boards. He also volunteers in the Jewish community. Helping others, particularly those who might be a bit down on their luck, is something he and Walco have always stood for.

“Caring about and for our people has always been an intrinsic feature of Walco’s culture, inasmuch as responding to a particularly unusual situation is a compassionate impulse we can sometimes act upon,” Waldman said. “Our team members know that it is important to me that we certainly do help some people where we can; in fact, I believe that their awareness of quiet, anonymous personal assistance positively contributes to team morale and subtly inspires our people to behave kindly toward one another.” n

‘Ellis has a “never give up” attitude.’

KEVIN HARRIS, Walco Electric Co. entrepreneurial operating system integrator www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 25

MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) Company | Website 1 CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of local employees

Products

General Dynamics Electric Boat | gdeb.com Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO; Kevin M. Graney, president

165 Dillabur Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 268-2300

5,132

Design, construction and life cycle support of submarines for the U.S. Navy

Blount Fine Foods Corp. | blountfinefoods.com Todd Blount

630 Currant Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 888-1325

1,200

Manufacturing and marketing of gourmet soups and sides, and meals

Raytheon Missiles & Defense | raytheon.com Gregory J. Hayes, chairman and CEO, Raytheon Co.; Wesley Kremer, president, Missiles & Defense

1847 West Main Road Portsmouth, R.I. 02871 (401) 842-5438

1,039

Electronic and weapons systems integrator for the U.S. Navy and international navies

Amgen Rhode Island | amgen.com Robert Bradway, chairman and CEO; Brian Britson, Rhode Island site vice president of operations

40 Technology Way West Greenwich, R.I. 02817 (401) 392-1200

970

Developer and manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals

5

Sensata Technologies Inc. | sensata.com Jeffrey Cote, CEO and president

529 Pleasant St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 236-3800

900

Custom-engineered sensors and controls, including Airpax, DeltaTech, Dimensions, Klixon, Qinex, Schrader and Sensor-NITE

5

General Dynamics Mission Systems | gdmissionsystems.com Chris Brady, president

400 John Quincy Adams Road Taunton, Mass. 02780 (508) 880-4000

900

Technology integrator and original equipment manufacturer with deep domain expertise in ground, sea, air, space and cyberspace

7

Charcuterie Artisans | charcuterie.com Chris Bowler, CEO

1000 Daniele Drive Burrillville, R.I. 02839 (401) 568-6228

700

Food products

8

Tiffany & Co. | Tiffany.com Michael Bergkoetter, divisional vice president, jewelry supply

300 Maple Ridge Drive Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 288-0100

680

Bracelets, charms, engagement rings, home accessories, necklaces, NFL Vince Lombardi Trophy, watches

9

Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp. | josephabboud.com Joseph Bahena, senior vice president

689 Belleville Ave. New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 999-1301

600

Joseph Abboud sportcoats, suits and trousers

10 2021: 11

Toray Plastics (America) Inc. | toraytpa.com Akihiro Nikkaku, CEO, president and chief operating officer, Toray Industries Inc.; Ken Kurokawa, chairman and CEO, Toray Plastics (America) Inc.; Christopher Roy, president and chief operating officer, Toray Plastics (America) Inc.

50 Belver Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 294-4511

557

Polyester and polypropylene film manufacturing

11 2021: 10

Teknor Apex Co. | teknorapex.com Jonathan D. Fain, chairman and CEO; Suresh Swaminathan, president

505 Central Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 725-8000

525

Custom compounder of advanced polymer materials

Taco Inc. 2 | tacocomfort.com John Hazen White Jr., owner and executive chairman; Cheryl Merchant, CEO

1160 Cranston St. Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 942-8000

500

Circulators, controls, pumps and valves for HVAC systems

Worthington Industries 3 | amtrol.com Mike Giannantonio, general manager

1400 Division Road West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 884-6300

450

HVAC: Extrols, Therm-x-Trols, pressure-rated cylinders; water systems: well-water systems, water treatment

Nordson EFD | nordsonefd.com Sundaram Nagarajan, CEO and president, Nordson Corp.; Jamie Clark, vice president and general manager, Nordson EFD

40 Catamore Blvd.

East Providence, R.I. 02914 (800) 556-3484

443

Manufacturer of dispensers, dispense valves, automated dispensing systems, syringe barrels and precision dispense tips

SEACORP LLC 4 | seacorp.com David Cadorette, president

62 Johnnycake Hill Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-2260

415

Systems and software engineering, program and financial management, research and development

16

AstroNova Inc. | astronovainc.com Gregory Woods

600 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 828-4000

400

Manufacturer of associated software and consumables, data acquisition systems, specialty printers

17

Technic Inc. | technic.com David Weisberg

47 Molter St. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 781-6100

372

Analytical control systems, custom finishing equipment, engineered powders, specialty chemicals

18

Bradford Soap Works Inc. | bradfordsoap.com Stuart Benton

200 Providence St. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 821-2141

335

Bar soap and other solid cleansing products, including shampoos/conditioners, shave and shower poufs

2021: 29

19

John Matouk & Co. | matouk.com George Matouk Jr., CEO

925 Airport Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 997-3444

258

Fine bed and bath linens

20 2021: NL

Finlay Extracts & Ingredients USA Inc. 5 | finlays.net Charley Snell, CEO

10 Blackstone Valley Place and 81 Ocean State Drive Lincoln and North Kingstown, R.I. 02865 and 02852 (401) 333-3300

232

Coffee, syrups, coffee extracts, tea extracts, coffee on demand

Tanury Industries | tanury.com Michael Akkaoui

6 New England Way Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-9400

230

Electroplating, PVD and Cerakote coatings

2022 rank

1

2021: 1

2

2021: 2

3

2021: 3

4

2021: 4

2021: 5

2021: 7

2021: 8

2021: 9

2021: 6

12

2021: 13

13

2021: 16

14 2021: 21 15

2021: 18

2021: NL

2021: 20

2021: 19

21

2021: NL

1 Companies listed have manufacturing facilities located in Rhode Island and/or Bristol County, Mass.

2 Also known as Taco Comfort Solutions.

3 Formerly known as Amtrol Inc. 4 Formerly known as Systems Engineering Associates Corp.

5 Also known as Finlays Americas.

26 | NOVEMBER 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n MANUFACTURING AWARDS | www.pbn.com

MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) Company | Website 1 CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of local employees

Products

22 2021: 22

Ahead LLC | aheadweb.com Anne Broholm, CEO

270 Samuel Barnet Blvd.

New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 985-9898

225

Branded golf apparel, headwear and accessories

2021: NL

23

KVH Industries Inc. | kvh.com Brent C. Bruun, CEO

50 Enterprise Center Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-3327

195

Mobile satellite communications, TV antenna systems, services, and content for leisure, commercial, and defense maritime applications

2021: 25

24

Nye Lubricants Inc. | nyelubricants.com George Mock, president

12 Howland Road Fairhaven, Mass. 02719 (508) 996-6721

190

Innovation, formulation and manufacture of specialty lubricants

24

Hope Global | hopeglobal.com Marcelino De Santiago, president and chief operating officer

50 Martin St. Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 753-7800

190

Manufacturer of automotive, apparel and industrial products

2021: 27

Mahr Inc. | metrology.mahr.com/en-us Bryan Orr, vice president of sales Americas, executive director for Mahr Inc.; John Robinson, chief fnancial officer

1139 Eddy St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 784-3100

182

Dimensional metrology equipment and gauges; provides calibration and contract measurement services

2021: NL

27

International Packaging Corp. | interpak.com John Kilmartin, owner and CEO

517 Mineral Spring Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 724-1600

175

Manufacturer and distributor of custom-made branded presentation boxes

28 2021: 30

Prysmian Group 2 | prysmiangroup.com Valerio Battista, CEO, Prysmian Group; Robert Auger, Lincoln plant manager

3 Carol Drive Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-4848

172

Wire and cable manufacturer

2021: 31

29

Nelipak Healthcare Packaging | nelipak.com Roger Prevot, chairman; Pat Chamblis, CEO and president

21 Amflex Drive Cranston, R.I. 02921 (401) 946-2699

150

Medical trays and pharmaceutical packaging

30

Natco Home Group | natcohome.com Michael Litner, president

155 Brookside Ave. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 828-0300

140

Manufacturing and importing of home textiles and flooring

2021: 33

31

Cooley Group | cooleygroup.com Daniel Dwight

350 Esten Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 724-9000

135

Manufacturer of coated fabrics and polymer membranes

2021: 35

32

NFI Corp. | nficorp.com Renaud Megard

22 Logan St. New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 998-9021

120

Graphic overlays, labels, membrane switches, sleeves

33 2021: 34

Contech Medical | contechmedical.com Raymond Byrnes, CEO; Christopher Byrnes, president

99 Hartford Ave. Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 351-4890

110

Medical-device manufacturer

34

Swarovski Optik North America Ltd. | swarovskioptik.com Albert Wannenmacher, CEO

2 Slater Road Cranston, R.I. 02920 (800) 289-4900

105

Invents, designs and manufactures long-range optical products of the highest precision for demanding users

Ferguson Perforating and Wire | fergusonperf.com Tom Moore, vice president of engineering; Keith Mailloux, vice president of corporate services; Jim Cardillo, executive vice president and general manager; Robert Colombi Jr., vice president, sales and business development

130 Ernest St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 941-8876

101

Perforation of materials, including aluminum, brass, cold rolled, galvinized, Inconel, stainless and titanium; comes in coil, sheets or completely fabricated parts

VIBCO Inc. | vibco.com Karl Wadensten

75 Stilson Road Richmond, R.I. 02898 (401) 539-2392

100

Industrial and concrete vibrators, plate compactors, vibratory rollers

2021: NL

EaglePicher Technologies LLC/Center of Engineering and Manufacturing | eaglepicher.com Richard Hunter, CEO; George Cintra, chief technology officer

2000 South County Trail East Greenwich, R.I. 02818 (401) 471-6580

90

Batteries

38

Admiral Packaging Inc. | admiralpkg.com Harley Frank, president

10 Admiral St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 274-7000

80

Manufacturing food, industrial and medical packaging

39 2021: 39

Yushin America Inc. | yushinamerica.com Mayumi Kotani, CEO and president, Yushin Precision Equipment Co. Ltd.; Takaya Sugimura, president, Yushin America Inc.; Michael Greenhalgh, Rhode Island director of operations

35 Kenney Drive Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 463-1800

75

Robots and custom automation for the plastics industry

40 2021: NL

Taylor Box Co. | taylorbox.com Daniel Shedd, president; Marken Shedd, general manager

293 Child St. Warren, R.I. 02885 (401) 245-5900

70

Box sets, custom binders, luxury amenity and traveler packaging, luxury-event invitations, marketing and press kits, portfolios, product launch kits, retail packaging, season-ticket packaging

41

Banneker Supply Chain Solutions Inc. | banneker.com Junior Jabbie

582 Great Road, Suite 101 North Smithfield, R.I. 02896 (401) 534-0027

60

Warehousing, e-commerce, fulfillment, distribution, logistics and supply chain management solutions

41

WaterRower | waterrower.com Peter King, CEO

520 Metacom Ave. Warren, R.I. 02885 (401) 247-7742

60

Indoor rowing fitness machines

2022 rank

2021: 26

26

2021: 24

2021: 36

35 2021: NL 36

2021: 36

37

2021: 39

2021: NL

2021: 32

1 Companies listed have manufacturing facilities located in Rhode Island and/or Bristol County, Mass.

2 Formerly General Cable Corp., which rebranded to Prysmian Group in January 2022.

www.pbn.com | MANUFACTURING AWARDS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2022 | 27

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