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14 n e w h a v e n B I Z | J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 1 9 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m What Can We Do For You? 860.871.1111 www.nemsi.com 166 Tunnel Road, Vernon, CT 06066 Choose an Award-Winning Partner For Over 50 Years, Clients Have Counted On NEMSI For: • HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping • Design-Build Construction • Energy Management Systems • LEED Certification Programs • Electrical Services • Comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Programs • 24/7/365 Emergency Response Recent Awards Include: » ABC Platinum Safety Award » ABC Accredited Quality Contractor (ABC-AQC) » ABC Excellence in Construction Award » ABC Specialty Contractor of the Year » Contracting Business First Place Design/Build Award License #s: E1-104939 • S1- 302974 P1- 203519 • F1- 10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 Offices in: New London | Trumbull | Pawtucket, RI | Palmer, MA | Manchester, NH | Albany, NY Offi ces in: New London | Trumbull | Pawtucket, RI Palmer, MA | Manchester, NH | Albany, NY Choose an Award-Winning Partner For Over 50 Years, Clients Have Counted On NEMSI For: • HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping • Design-Build Construction • Energy Management Systems • LEED Certifi cation Programs • Electrical Services • Comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Programs • 24/7/365 Emergency Response License #s: E1-104939 • S1- 302974 P1- 203519 • F1- 10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 What Can We Do For You? 860.871.1111 www.nemsi.com 166 Tunnel Road, Vernon, CT 06066 Recent Awards Include: » ABC Platinum Safety Award » ABC Accredited Quality Contractor (ABC-AQC) » ABC Excellence in Construction Award » ABC Specialty Contractor of the Year » Contracting Business First Place Design/Build Award go." ey have dabbled in elec- tronic cigarettes, for example. "It is important for ownership to try new products — now we supply metal for airbags, which years ago weren't common in automobiles," Ulbrich explains. "To continue for many years in business, you need a culture of trying new products and investments." Putting the company first is also key to success and survival, accord- ing to Ulbrich. "Our family has been willing to invest in new products rather than buying a boat or putting money in the bank," Ulbrich explains. Communication is also key. Ul- brich says the company strives to be honest with employees when times are tough. When business slumped in 2009, employees had to tempo- rarily take furloughs and collect unemployment benefits. ey did — and the company recovered. * * * Sargent/Assa Abloy traces its beginnings to New York City and 1810, when the Sargent family start- ed its hardware business. e family moved the company's factory to Water Street in New Haven because of its seaside location in 1864. Allan Saunders, manufacturing engineer at Sargent/Assa Abloy, noted how back then, "Water bodies were the highways," and New Hav- en's harbor was a key attraction. "Having [Long Island Sound] right here played a major role in our early success," explains Saunders. "I think we are still here because of the quality of our products, our people, and keeping up with the newest and best technology." Sargent's catalog by 1914 adver- tised 60,000 products,, and Sargent was one of the largest manu- facturing plants in the country, employing about 3,000 workers. Locks, cowbells, carriage hardware, measurement tools, silverware, boot scrapers and hinges were among its offerings. According to Saunders, Sargent employees made the hard- ware on Abraham Lincoln's casket. During both World Wars, they made items for the war effort, such as helmets, bombshells and bullets. While some long-standing man- ufacturers expanded their product lines, Sargent actually streamlined, and the family decided to concen- trate on the niche of making locks and door-related mechanisms, which continues to be its main focus today. Today it occupies a 350,000-square-foot building on a 30-acre property on Sargent Drive. e Swedish conglomerate Assa Abloy acquired Sargent in 1996. Today, about 600 people work in the New Haven building. Chris Mosby, general manager for Sargent Manufacturing, says the company has had staying power for multiple reasons. "e company has created a great culture," Mosby explains. "We also focus on product innovation, so we have products that delight our customers." According to Mosby, the compa- ny also strives to hone cost-effective processes to remain competitive. Management asks employees for cost-saving ideas, and rewards win- ning ideas with cash. An employee recently spotted waste and saved the company thousands of dollars. Using quality materials like stain- less steel, brass and bronze has been key to keeping customers happy. Remaining in the United States, during an era when so many U.S. manufacturers have moved opera- tions offshore, gives the company an edge, too — the ability to fill orders and ship faster than competitors, according to management. e company has focused on automation to save money, and the factory is filled with robots per- forming processes that not long ago were performed by humans. Since Continued from Page 13 LEGACY MANUFACTURERS