Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1272257
22 Hartford Business Journal • July 27, 2020 • www.HartfordBusiness.com Family businesses take on coronavirus pandemic T he coronavirus pan- demic has put strain on all Connecticut families, as they manage the stress of finan- cial, social and mental and physical health hardships. But imagine not only living with family members during these trying times but also owning a busi- ness with them. Indeed family enterprises have faced unique challenges in recent months as they not only fight to keep their loved ones healthy, but also remain in business. They've had to deal with the typical challenges of operating a company during a pandemic — making sure customers, employees and other third parties remain safe and healthy — while also manag- ing family relationships. Ensuring everyone gets along — even when disagreements arise, which they inevitably do — can be a daunting task. That's why family businesses that withstand the test of time — espe- cially these times — are so deserv- ing of recognition. And that's the purpose of Hartford Business Journal's 2020 Connecti- cut Family Business Awards, which highlight some of the best and most recognizable family owned compa- nies in the state, which are all cop- ing with coronavirus. This year's class of winners was handpicked by Hartford Business Journal's editorial department with help from our Family Business Awards sponsors, including the UConn School of Business, Berkshire Bank, Cox Business and Har- vard Pilgrim Health Care. Our honorees include a manufacturer, trash-hauling business, grocery store and construction and tech firms, among others. In the pages that follow, we highlight our top winners, includ- ing what sets them apart from the competition, how they stay ahead in the marketplace and how they remain true to their founding principles in a modern world. For these companies, the key to long-term success is treating every- one like family, including employees and customers. Please join Hartford Business Jour- nal in congratulating this year's class, which we honored during a special virtual awards ceremony on July 29. And remember we'll be back next year with a new crop of winners, so please nominate worthy com- panies. Greg Bordonaro , Editor PRODUCED BY: PLATINUM SPONSORS: SILVER SPONSOR: TABLE OF CONTENTS 24 Category | Fewer Than 25 employees — Glastonbury-based Adaptive Prosthetics and Orthotics LLC Category | 25-75 Full-Time Employees — Bridgeport-based Viking Construction Inc. 26 Category | 76-199 Full-Time Employees — Southington-based Winterberry Category | 200-plus Full-Time Employees — Watertown-based The Siemon Company 28 Category | First Generation — Tolland-based Macroscopic Solutions 29 Category | Rising Star — Samuel Schneider, COO of Ellington-based Earthlight Technologies LLC Category | Rising Star — Julie Paine-Miller, Vice President of East Granby-based Paine's Inc. 30 Category | Succession Planning — Tolland-based CNC Software Inc. Category | Overcoming Adversity — Southington-based Tops Marketplace SPECIAL SECTION PGS. 22-30 PHOTO | EVGENY ATAMANENKO, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM