Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MAY 4, 2026 27 SMALL BUSINESS WE E K What's a major challenge your busi- ness has overcome in the past year? Although our quality systems were strong, our engineering function needed rebuilding after years of relying on a former parent company. Over the past year, we have developed a new engineering team with the right balance by pairing entry-level engi- neers with seasoned experts. This approach has transformed us from having limited internal engineering How has your business grown in recent years? Over the past several years, we've grown Marion Manufacturing nearly 70%. Most notably, we achieved this without increasing headcount by leveraging lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and strategic investments in equipment and workforce training. Through SBA loan programs and state-supported initiatives, we strength- ened both our capabilities and our team. This allowed us to scale efficiently, maintain high quality standards and deliver greater value to our customers — growth that is not just bigger, but smarter and more sustainable. capability to establishing a disciplined, process-driven technical organization. It reflects our belief that innovation requires strong critical thinking for rigorous problem-solving, and a culture committed to continuous improvement. What's a major challenge your busi- ness has overcome in the past year? One of our biggest challenges this past year was adapting to shifting demand following a record 2024, while also navigating tariff pressures and global supply chain uncertainty. We responded by leaning into our lean culture, optimizing processes, refining production scheduling and increasing workforce flexibility through cross-training. At the same time, our strong supplier relationships and active involvement in industry organizations gave us the insight and agility to manage cost pressures strategically. As a result, we remained efficient, responsive and competitive without compromising quality, delivery or customer service. INDUSTRY: Aerospace Component Manufacturing TOP EXECUTIVE: Yogi Tharanibalan, CEO HEADQUARTERS: Wallingford ANNUAL REVENUE: $6.2M EMPLOYEES: 20 WEBSITE: www.novelaero.com CONTACT: 860-382-5548 Category Winner EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Novel Aero Inc. INDUSTRY: Contract Manufacturing TOP EXECUTIVE: Douglas Johnson, President HEADQUARTERS: Cheshire ANNUAL REVENUE: $9 million EMPLOYEES: 27 WEBSITE: Marionmfg.com CONTACT: 203-272-5376 Category Winner MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR Marion Manufacturing Company Inc. While Marion was a strong company, it lacked a clear transition plan and strategic direction. I joined as vice president of operations and led a focused turnaround, strength- ening processes, stabilizing perfor- mance and positioning the business for growth. When presented with the opportunity to take ownership, I recognized the long-term potential and made the decision to invest in and acquire the business. Since then, I've worked to build a more disciplined, scalable orga- nization grounded in operational excellence and sustainable growth. What motivates you? Throughout my career, I played a key role in building and scaling businesses without ever having ownership, often in environments where people were not treated with the respect they deserved. Those experiences had a lasting impact on me. I made a promise to myself that if I ever had the opportunity to lead, I would build something different, a company where people feel valued, supported and take pride in their work. That commitment has shaped how I lead, invest in our team and build our culture at Marion Manufacturing, and it continues to guide me every day. Q&A talks with Douglas Johnson, presi- dent of Marion Manufacturing Co. M arion Manufacturing is a preci- sion metal stamping company focused on high-volume production using progressive stamping. It designs and builds tooling in-house and manages quality control internally. The company works with customers from product development through full- scale manufacturing, serving industries including medical, aerospace and defense, automotive and electronics. Marion emphasizes long-term programs involving multiple compo- nents and assemblies, rather than one-off parts, and positions itself as a single-source supplier for scalable manufacturing. How did you get into this business? I was first introduced to Marion Manufacturing as a customer, sourcing precision metal components for another medical manufacturing company I managed. When that business was sold, I was awarded an opportunity to join Marion at a significant time of need. Q&A talks with Yogi Tharanibalan, CEO of Novel Aero Inc. N ovel Aero is a Wallingford-based aerospace manufacturer that produces precision gaskets and seals for advanced engine applications. The company serves military, commer- cial and industrial customers, supplying components designed to meet strict aerospace standards. It focuses on quality, technical expertise and contin- uous improvement, and works with major aerospace and defense contractors. How did you get into this business? I entered the aerospace manufacturing space nearly 20 years ago, fascinated by its complexity, precision and global impact. Through hands-on roles, I devel- oped a deep passion for engineering excellence and continuous improvement. That journey led me to acquire Corru- Seals, now Novel Aero, with like-minded, accomplished partners and mentors. Over the past year, we've focused on strengthening the foundation of this long- standing company to secure its future. How has your business grown in the past year? In 2025, Novel Aero grew roughly 20% in revenue, continuing our strong year-over-year performance. A major highlight of this growth has been our workforce expansion, increasing our team from 12 to 20 dedicated profes- sionals. This includes the strategic addition of three engineers, significantly strengthening our technical depth. We've also made major progress in our continuous improvement journey, refining processes and building a capable team. These advancements, combined with the dedication of our existing workforce, have elevated our technical capabilities and positioned us for long-term success in supporting aerospace and defense customers.

• Cover