Hartford Business Journal

6 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 24, 2026 DE AL WATCH potentially contaminated materials could be reused by scavengers sorting through open-air landfills. The machines shredded the waste into material with no resale value. Energy costs setback The combined companies' work- force peaked at 42 employees in 2022 before a sharp increase in elec- tricity costs forced painful layoffs. Trudeau said monthly electric bills had averaged between $15,000 and $18,000 before skyrocketing. "We got a bill in December for November (2022) for $44,000 for the month," Trudeau said. "That was a shocker." The partners initially thought the increase might reflect a clerical error by their landlord, who submetered the building. When the higher bills continued through the holidays, they began laying off workers. Today, the companies employ 22 people. The experience changed how the partners viewed their future, setting them on a course toward owning an industrial property where they could better control costs. Innovation center The former Rex Forge campus will allow Cable Management to move much of its equipment manufacturing their own operations and additional industrial tenants. Eventually, they hope to create an environment where manufacturers and innovators can share flexible industrial space and collaborate on research and development proj- ects with schools, universities and operation out of leased space in Meriden while expanding its recycling business into new markets, including scrap steel and large household appliances, the owners said. The cousins also plan to maintain part of their Meriden location as a contractor drop-off site. "It's going to provide us opportu- nities for new streams of income," Cotnoir said. "We'll be able to expand our scrap side ... and automatically have a new scrap retail location." Trudeau and Cotnoir said they hope to move much of their equipment manufacturing operation to South- ington by December, although the timeline will depend on environmental cleanup and building repairs. They plan to renovate about 50,000 square feet first, then grad- ually restore additional portions of the complex. The partners also envision installing rooftop solar panels to help reduce one of their biggest operating expenses. "We want to be in control of our property," Trudeau said, "and even- tually, I want to be in control of our energy as well." Over decades, the Rex Forge prop- erty evolved into a patchwork of addi- tions, some built around rail spurs that once served the factory. Today, the Quinnipiac River borders the rear of the campus, which Trudeau and Cotnoir hope to gradually restore for startup companies. Cotnoir also sees the project as an investment in the people who helped build the business. "I look at it as, among other things, we're providing hopefully a good life for a bunch of guys' families," he said. "It's kind of cool." Continued from page 5 By Greg Bordonaro gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com A Brookfield building that opened in 2021 as the global headquarters for welding and assembly technology company Branson has sold for $32.5 million and will become the new home of a Virginia-based defense contractor's Connecticut operations. Leonardo DRS has leased the approximately 141,000-square-foot property at 120 Park Ridge Road from its new owner, Massachusetts-based Winstanley Enterprises, according to Adam Winstanley, principal of the real estate investment and development firm. Winstanley Enterprises purchased the building in early August through WE 120 Park Ridge Road LLC. The acquisition was financed in part with Winstanley Enterprises has acquired the Brookfield office building at 120 Park Ridge Road for $32.5 million and leased it to Leonardo DRS. Photo | CoStar a $15.6 million loan from TD Bank, according to land records. Leonardo DRS has signed an approximately 20-year lease for the building, property records show. It also has four five-year renewal options and the right to make the first offer to buy the property if it becomes available for sale. Leonardo said it will consolidate its Naval Power Systems operations, currently spread across three loca- tions in Danbury and Bethel, into the Brookfield facility. Initial occupancy is expected in early 2027, with limited occupancy possible in late 2026 depending on construction progress. The Naval Power Systems busi- ness develops electric power and propulsion technologies for U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion programs. Leonardo said the new facility will increase production capacity and improve coordination among employees while positioning the busi- ness for growth in the commercial nuclear energy sector. Branson, which is owned by Missouri-based industrial technology company Emerson, debuted the approximately $49 million head- quarters in 2021. When announcing the new facility, the company said it would support Branson's plastic joining, ultrasonic metal welding and ultrasonic cleaning technologies for the medical, textile, automotive, food and beverage, packaging and electronics industries. It is unclear why Emerson sold the building or what the company's future plans are for Branson's Connecticut operations. Winstanley said Branson vacated the property months ago. Emerson did not respond to a request for comment. Leonardo DRS did not disclose the financial terms of its lease or say whether the consolidation will change its Connecticut workforce. TD Bank backs Winstanley's $32.5M Brookfield office acquisition; Virginia defense contractor signs 20-year lease (Top photo) Daniel Cotnoir with a map of the former Rex Forge building layout. (Below) Portions of the former Rex Forge site.

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