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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 9 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 17 Health plans that work for your employees and your budget. If your current health plan isn't the best fit, take a closer look at Oxford — the health plan provider of choice for 1 out of 3 Connecticut small businesses.* We're talking plans with a 35-year history of cost savings, robust local and national provider networks, results-oriented wellness programs and a simpler online experience. Small business health plans from Oxford. Now, we're talking. uhc.com/LetsTalkOxfordCT or talk to your broker. Now, we're talking. *Based on an analysis of 2018 MLR data of Connecticut insurers. Online doctor visits are not an insurance product, health care provider or a health plan. Unless otherwise required, benefits are available only when services are delivered through a designated online network provider. Online doctor visits are not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. Services may not be available at all times or in all locations. Oxford insurance products are underwritten by Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. Oxford HMO products are underwritten by Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc. 9637730.0 9/19 ©2019 Oxford Health Plans LLC. All rights reserved. 19-12865-A 45,328 small group members. * Industry leader. Digital enrollment. 35 years in CT. Cost- control strategies. Network solutions. Online doctor visits. M E E T T H E M A K E R When Whidden joined the com- pany in 1987, North Sails worked with multiple independently owned sail los around the world, generating annual revenues of about $20 million. Today North Sails operates with seven wholly owned manufac- turing facilities in six countries supported by more than 150 sales and service outlets worldwide. Here at home, North Technol- ogy Group occupies some 65,000 square feet of space in the former U.S. Motors facility in Milford, e company employs some 80 workers, including about 45 skilled engineers and 25 designers. While the company manufac- tures carbon masts, boons, spars and rigging for sailboats, its core business is sailmaking. is in- cludes craing sails for many of the most sophisticated racing yachts in the world, including for Ameri- ca's Cup competitors — the most sophisticated wind-powered cra on the planet. "We make virtually every kind of sail in the world," Whidden says. But while the technology is decidedly 21st century, the physics that underlies it is nearly as old as... well, as the wind itself. "e art of sailmaking is thou- sands of years old," Whidden says. "e Nordic, the Venetians — everyone that sailed thousands of years ago did it the same way." Today North Sails produces about 45,000 sails annually, ranging from an eight-foot Optimus to vessels spanning 350 feet. And about 20,000 of those are still hand-stitched. Beginning about 30 years ago, North also pioneered an innovative process of craing sails all in one piece. "e Swiss had the idea but couldn't quite put it all together, but we did," Whidden explains. "[Low- ell] North innovated that process and we own the patent for it." One of the most significant transformations in the company's approach to sailmaking has been technological innovations that incorporate the entire aerodynam- ic profile of a wind-powered vessel, rather than just the sails alone. is has led to an integrated package of spar making in New Zealand and Amsterdam, and designed and assembling rigging in Spain and Sri Lanka. Over the last three decades, North Sails has evolved from a loose confederation of locally owned and -operated companies to a wholly owned global brand through the development of laminated sailcloth, 3D sailmaking and string sail technology. "It's amazingly technical," Whidden says. "Not only do we have a technologically driven manufacturing system, but we have patents around the way we make the sail, [fabricated] of pretty exotic materials that are aerospace and aircra-quality. "e business of sailmaking is highly technical," he adds, unnecessarily. n AT A GLANCE Company: North Technology Group, 125 Old Gate Lane (No. 7) Milford 06460, 203-877-7621, northsails.com Founder: Lowell North Year founded: 1957 Chief executive: Tom Whidden, CEO Product line(s): Sailmaking, carbon masts, boons, spars and rigging for sailboats No. employees: 3,000 worldwide Annual revenues: $400 million

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