Worcester Business Journal

Aimee Peacock CEO of Flexcon Global Flexcon, in Spencer Employees: 450 in Central Massachusetts, 900 globally Residence: Rutland Colleges: University of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Peacock is perhaps the top role model in Central Mass., particularly for women, for all that can be achieved in the still male-dominated manufacturing industry. With a focus on laminated films and adhesives used by industries ranging from consumer packaging to healthcare, Flexcon has been owned by the McDonough family for about 70 years. With Peacock at the helm, the company has made strides in expanding its product line while reducing its environmental impact, diverting 70% of materials from landfills on its goal to hit 98% by 2028. e global company celebrated a half-century of do- ing business in Europe in November. e company con- tinues to give back, making contributions to more than 65 charitable organizations in 2024, with a list including Veterans Inc., Abby's House, and local schools. Heavily involved with local organizations like Girls on the Run of Central Mass., Girls Scouts of Central Mass., and the EcoTarium, Peacock's greatest satisfaction from being a leader comes by supporting the professional growth of others. With her leadership at Flexcon and long list of nonprofits she's involved in, such opportuni- ties should be plentiful for years to come. - E.C. wbjournal.com | May 19, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 11 M A N U FA C T U R I N G P OW E R 1 0 0 Congratulations to President Barry Maloney! 2025 WORCESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL POWER 100 worcester.edu/industry 95 undergraduate majors 30 master's programs 89% of graduates stay in Massachusetts after graduation 98% employed or in graduate school within three months of graduation 20+ years ranked "Best University, North" by US News & World Report Worcester State University is celebrating 150 years of impact, leadership and belonging in the city we call home! David Stone CEO Sterilite, in Townsend Employees: Between 500-999 e family behind the internationally-known Ste- rilite storage solutions manufacturer may be the most influential and generous group you've never heard of. Since its founding in 1939, Sterilite and the family Stone have been major employers in North Central Massachusetts, particularly in its small home com- munity of Townsend, with its population of 9,000. e company really grew during the 67-year career of David Stone's father Albert Stone, who took it from a small regional manufacturer to one of the largest producers of household goods in the country, accord- ing to his obituary. Sterilite now is the largest plastic houseware manufacturer in North America, with seven facilities totaling more than 12 million square feet. e Stone family has been generous supporters of community causes in North Central Massachusetts. e family was key in establishing the Groton Public Library endowment trust, and its support has extended to organizations like the Spanish-American Center in Leominster and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. David Stone, the current head of Sterilite, keeps the same low-key demeanor. When asked to fill out a ques- tionnaire for this story, he replied: "To the extent that Sterilite is a successful inhabitant in this region, it is due to the work of many individuals, and I don't wish personal credit for what is always a group effort." - B.K. Abby Marschke Executive director, marketing & retail Saint-Gobain, in Worcester Employees: 2,750 in North America Residence: Ashland Colleges: Alfred University, Clark University Over the last 25 years, Marschke has helped ensure the 167-year legacy of Norton Co. lives on in Worcester through Saint-Gobain's continued involvement in the local economy and community. Combining her expe- rience with engineering and marketing, she serves as a public, local face for the France-based manufacturer. As part of the construction of Saint-Gobain's new 47,000-square-foot administration building in Worces- ter, Marschke worked to incorporate a community benefits commitment, which helps ensure the project meets diversity goals through the hiring of local resi- dents, contractors, people of color, and women. She oversees several multi-million dollar markets, including aerospace and distribution, streamlining operations to be more customer-friendly. With more than 500,000 products and 200,000 customers in North America alone, efforts to simplify the ordering process pay big dividends. A member of the firm's North American Management Committee, Marschle ensures women are well-represented in an industry where less than a third of workers are female; three-fourths of her team of directors and managers are women. - E.C. "For me, the true essence of power is in its ability to inspire and uplift women in the workforce, especially young women on the brink of their careers." - Aimee Peacock, Flexcon Global

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