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C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E S 4 2 S T U F F • F a l l 2 0 1 7 AUTAC, INC. The wire and cable industry's Autac Inc. was founded by Robert N. Burkle over 70 years ago. Today, his daughter Marie-Louise Burkle heads up the manufacturing company, a maker of retractile, or "curly" cords. All Autac products meet industry standards. Autac is a boutique manufacturer of wire and cable products, an expert in creating coiled cords. What makes Autac unique, in part, is its expansive inventory. This allows the company to produce custom-made cords for specific uses — even to military specifications — and to coil cords from wire made elsewhere. The company's expansive capacity also means its employees learn each aspect of the cord-making process, and ultimately means less wait time for its customers. "I started work in the industry of wire and cable in 2013 … I kept learning and learning and right now I'm running the extruder line and am a supervisor. I love this industry because you're learning something new every day. I'll always be grateful for this opportunity." www.Autacusa.com Address: PO Box 306 N. Branford CT 06471 Phone: 800-243- 3161 Full-time employees: 11 Year founded: 1947 Additional Company Location: 25 Thompson Rd., Branford, CT 06405 CEO: Marie-Louise Burkle POSITION: Extruder Operator / Floor Supervisor AGE: 33 SCHOOL: Luis Melendez High School, Puerto Rico YEARS AT COMPANY: 4.5 Felix Hernandez C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E The company niche product is coiled cords, also known as retractile cords. Autac makes its own products from start to finish, right from the copper conductors all the way through to jacketing materials. The products are used in power cords, high-performance race cars, in ice-cream- making machines and arcade games. (Autac even makes cords that glow in the dark.) Autac offers a 401K plan, with 75 percent of employees' health insurance paid by the company. It offers paid training and education reimbursements, paid two-week vacations for those with the company from one to five years, with another week earned for every five years an employee is with the company. Cash bonuses and holiday gift cards to Stop & Shop round out the Autac benefit offerings. Autac's favorite charity is the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford. The company has made donations to the shelter, in part to help animals who are victims of abuse. Autac is a lean and clean manufacturer. This means the company has systems so it reduces waste — focusing on actions that add value to the consumer — all while keeping productivity high. Conserving raw materials and energy is also a goal, along with reducing toxins wherever possible. P R O D U C T S C O M PA N Y B E N E F I T S C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T E N V I R O N M E N TA L A W A R E N E S S