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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | 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 15 A general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001. Not a subsidiary of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Insurance products issued by MassMutual, Springfield, MA 01111, and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Co. and MML Bay State Life Insurance Co., Enfield, CT 06082. Securities offered through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC and a MassMutual subsidiary. Supervisory Office: 330 Whitney Avenue, Suite 600, Holyoke, MA 01040. 413-539-2000. CRN201909-169729 Charter Oak Financial 203-350-8832 www.charteroakfinancial.com Together we can help you reach your goals. At Charter Oak Financial, we are committed to providing the guidance you need to help reach your financial goals. Our financial professionals work to earn your trust delivering custom insurance solutions and sharing your financial priorities. To take a step toward building your financial future, contact us today. robots can do the work of multiple people, the company has reduced the workforce through attrition. Ac- cording to Saunders, the company strives to avoid layoffs. "People are valuable to us, and we will shi them around until things get better," Saunders says. Many current employees report working there for more than 20, 30 and even 40 years. * * * Bead Industries Inc. of Milford started in 1914, when it developed and manufactured Bead Chain for electric light pulls, typically found in closets and base- ments. Today, five generations have nur- tured the business, and the company has grown to include two divisions, Bead Chain and Bead Electronics, as well as a wholly-owned subsid- iary, McGuire Manufacturing Co., in Cheshire. e company makes products for the telecom, automo- tive, connector and lighting indus- tries. Bead Chain is also used today for products such as vertical blinds, key chains and for marine parts, and McGuire produces plumbing fixture trim. During World War II, Bead made more than 22 million "dog tag" necklace chains for United States and Canadian armed forces. e company's products were used on fighter planes, submarines and battleships. e company has also fabricated millions of contact pins found in fluorescent tubes, and has supplied parts to companies such as General Electric and Sylvania. Ron Andreoli, Bead Industries' president, says the company's ability to change has been the secret to its long-term success. "Businesses either adapt or they die," Andreoli explains. "Bead has reinvented itself multiple times over its long history in reaction to chang- ing times, technology and customer needs." In addition to its ability to adapt, he also credits Bead's survival with steady leadership by active own- ers. e company's "unique cold forming technology" has also been a factor, he says. What advice would he give to manufacturing start-ups on how to make it to their 100th birthday? "Create an agile and nimble environment," Andreoli says. And, above all, "Listen to your customers." n Top: Hardware works of Sargent & Co. in New Haven in the 19th century. Bottom: Workers Tom Gorcyca and Cale Gabrynowicz (foreground) at Sargent/Assa Abloy's Sargent Drive headquarters today. LEGACY MANUFACTURERS

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