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10 Hartford Business Journal • June 3, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com MANUFACTURING CT companies at center of U.S. reshoring trend By Greg Bordonaro gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com N ew Britain's Stanley Black & Decker is the latest U.S. manufacturer to reshore some of its operations, announcing late last month it will move produc- tion of its Craftsman wrenches from China back to the U.S. The power toolmaker said it plans to invest $90 million to open a plant in Fort Worth, Texas, by late next year that will employ 500 people who will annually produce millions of Crafts- man wrenches, sockets and ratchets. Robots and other technology will also be housed there, which will help lower overall production costs. While Connecticut missed out on that investment it has been the ben- eficiary of other reshoring moves. For example, in 2016, Carey Manu- facturing began moving its manu- facturing operations from China to Cromwell, investing over $5 million in equipment, people and resources to reshore manufacturing of its catches, latches, handles and electronic hard- ware for military, aerospace, comput- er, electronics, telecom, automotive and consumer applications. That move and U.S. investment is getting Carey Manufacturing some national attention. The company re- cently announced its been selected to participate in a reshoring case study being conducted by SelectUSA, a U.S. government-wide program led by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The "Reshore, Retain and Reinvest Case Studies and Report" will include a series of case studies on companies that have successfully reshored manu- facturing in the US. It will be released in June during the SelectUSA Invest- ment Summit in Washington, D.C. Carey Manufacturing is one of four companies chosen to participate in the case study. In addition, Carey Manufacturing General Manager Paul S. Lavoie will be featured in a panel discussion that will highlight best practices and lessons learned from companies that have reshored operations in the United States. "We are committed to manufactur- ing in the USA and continue to move the manufacturing and create jobs and invest money in the supply chain in Connecticut," Lavoie said. "In addi- tion, we've acquired new customers who are interested in quality USA- made products." Carey Manufacturing Owner Jack Carey (right) and General Manager Paul Lavoie. PHOTO | HBJ FILE retaining meeting-business to the city. Aside from Evans' engagement with Waterford Group and convention-center staff to host the space summit, the MetroHartford Alliance, Connecticut Airport Authority, state Department of Economic and Community Development and Science Center also lent a hand. Hartford, Wolman said, over the years has enhanced its appeal as a convention- meeting destination with its menu of leisure amenities and attractions for downtown visitors: Yard Goats minor- league baseball games at Dunkin' Do- nuts Park; college hockey games at the XL Center; and Front Street. In addition, UConn, Capital Com- munity College, Trinity College, and University of St. Joseph all have down- town campuses — appealing to educa- tion groups and visitors, he said. "There's a foundation and a base that one can really build from today,'' Wolman said. >> Market Shift continued The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. PHOTO | HBJ FILE Having A Bored Meeting? ~ Blending tradition and excellence for nearly 80 years ~ 2471 Albany Ave | West Hartford, CT | 860.236.1965 | www.thecrownmarket.com Shake things up with a luncheon delivered from The Crown! Call Today! (860) 236-1965 • Sandwich or Wrap Platters • Cold Salad Platters • Make Your Own Sandwich Platters • Design Your Own Menu • Hot Buffet Lunches • Beverages and Paper Goods Available