Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 6, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 23 MANUFACTURING F O C U S Company: Hudson Lock, in Hudson Locations: Two Industry subsector: Security hardware manufacturing Founded: 1963 Employees: 70 Other top executives: Tom Sousa, CFO; Esmeralda Melendez, chief people officer Primary product: Mechanical locking systems and key control solutions Gina Melendez has led a shi in how Hudson Lock operates, focusing on structure, data, and consistency across the company's manufacturing processes. Over the past two years, she has guided the transition from a reactive production model to a more disci- plined system based on demand, lead times, and service expectations. at shi has improved how the company manages inventory and meets cus- tomer demand. Melendez has worked to strengthen internal operations by increasing inventory accuracy and introducing more formal production and backlog review processes. A key part of her approach has been workforce development. Employees are trained not only on tasks, but on the reasoning behind them, with the goal of improving decision-making and accountability across teams. Under Melendez's leadership, the company has focused on building a more consistent and scalable manufac- turing operation. MANUFACTURING CHAMPION – EXECUTIVE Gina Melendez, president & CEO Company: Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, in Worcester Locations: Three Industry subsector: Biomanufacturing Founded: 1984 Employees: 11 Other top executives: John Hallinan, board chair; Zu Shen, executive vice president, incubation Primary product: Biomanufacturing leadership Annual revenue: $5.3 million Jon Weaver has focused his work on building Central Massachusetts' biomanufacturing sector by coordinating efforts across government, industry, and education. Over the past three years, Weaver and MBI have worked with partners including Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, and state officials to position the region as a center for bioindustrial manufacturing. at effort led to a $5.2-million state investment in 2025 to establish the Central Massachusetts BioHub, aimed at supporting production of bio-based materials, foods, and fuels. e designation includes funding for workforce training, expansion of research programs, and the development of a prototyping lab at MBI. It supports outreach efforts to connect local residents with certificate programs and careers in the field. MBI operates an incubator with more than 45 companies, helping startups access lab space and resources while working to retain them in the region. Weaver's work centers on coordinating these efforts to build a regional industry cluster and expand manufacturing opportunities in Central Massachusetts. MANUFACTURING CHAMPION – ADVOCATE Jon Weaver, president & CEO W W BETTER BUSINESSES EARN THE BBB ® SEAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF CENTRAL NEW ENGLAND 400 GROVE ST., WORCESTER 5087553340 APPLY TODAY AT BBB.ORG 5.0 Based on 196 Reviews 49 Main St. Sturbridge, MA 01566 www.ClearComIT.com/manufacturing/ "Preferred IT vendor" of the Partner with ClearCom IT Solutions for responsive & reliable IT service and support. Give us a call! 508-205-1114 From your production floor to your ERP systems - get proactive IT that minimizes downtime, defends your data, and scales as you grow. Manufacturing IT That Keeps Your Line Moving

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