Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1367032
4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MAY 3, 2021 Q&A with Rachel Stansel, president of Tolland-based Environics. Q: Can you describe your business and the services and/or products you sell? We specialize in designing and manufacturing gas-flow management systems. Though different in design and application, all of our units mix together two or more gases repeatability with a high level of accuracy. Environics units are unique as they are customized to the exact needs of the end user. Q: How long have you been in business? Environics was established in 1986, making this our 35th year in business. Q: Describe your target customer. Our units are diverse — and so are the industries that need them. Our largest market is with state, federal or international agencies that use our systems in ambient air monitoring. Other industries we commonly work with include food/meat packaging, sensor testing/development, automotive, universities, commercial R&D and militaries around the world. Q: Looking into the future five years, Q&A with Maria Pinto, owner of Wallingford-based Industrial Strength. Q: Can you describe your business and the services and/or products you sell? We specialize in hypodermic needle manufacturing for body piercing, medical and veterinarian needles worldwide. Q: How did you get into this business? What motivated you? I have been an innovator in the needle-manufacturing business for over 25 years. I was a body- modification enthusiast and in 1995 saw the need for a specialized needle specifically designed for body piercing. A team of engineers and I developed what is known worldwide as the Sharp ASS Needle. Q: How many employees do you have? We have seven full-time employees. Q: Looking into the future five years — where do you see your business? Each year we work on new products to help our clients perform their procedures with ease. We are launching several new tools in 2021. We have another part of our business comprised of lotions, salves and where do you see your business? As we look forward, we are excited to be releasing the first of a new line of systems. This new platform combines the strong technical specifications and reliability our customers have grown to expect with new communications features and other improvements. Q: What advice would you give to other small businesses, especially during this difficult time? The key is to plan ahead as much as possible. We used this time to review our processes and to work on internal projects that often get sidelined. By investing into these projects, we kept our team engaged and made investments that will continue after the difficult times are past. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the culture of your business? Our team is a nice blend of longtime employees of 20 years or more and newer staff. As a small business, working together and pitching in is critical. Our staff is wonderful about pitching in to help or just to add a joke to lighten the mood. soaps used in our body piercing and tattoo companies, and are working on expanding into the beauty and pet industries as well. Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment? Receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration Manufacturer of the Year Award in 2020. We pushed hard to surpass our goals as a team and stay focused during a very difficult time. Q: What strengths have you discovered about yourself and your employees during this past year? As a team that communicates, we can do anything. We all have each other's back, not just in work but in all aspects of life. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the culture of your business? Since its inception in 1996, Industrial Strength has been a leader in product research and development. I've worked with numerous body piercers to develop new products as well as modify existing products with the professional body-modification artist in mind. My dedicated, continuous design work put Industrial Strength in the forefront of the body- piercing industry. Company: Environics Industry: Gas mixing technology Top Executive: Dr. Rachel Stansel, President HQ: 69 Industrial Park Road East, Tolland Company Website: https://www. environics.com/ Phone Number: 860-872-1111 Company: Industrial Strength LLC Industry: Manufacturing Top Executive: Maria Pinto, CEO/ Owner HQ: 7 Marshall St., Wallingford Company Website: https://indus- trialstrengthneedles.com/ Phone Number: 203-697-9280 Category Winner: Manufacturer of the Year Category Winner: Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year SBA - Small Business Week Winners It's easier to protect a customer when you can see them from your window. That's how we work, too. We live and work in the same communities you do, so our local experts understand your needs firsthand. At Acadia Insurance, our consultative experts listen first and are ready to help by providing tailored coverage and hands-on service that help our customers avoid, mitigate, and recover from loss. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WORKING WITH ACADIA INSURANCE, VISIT US ONLINE: ACADIAINSURANCE.COM AT A GLANCE AT A GLANCE FOCUS