GLASTONBURY – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that HABCO Industries LLC of Glastonbury is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Founded in 1970, HABCO is a manufacturer of ground support equipment and tooling for the aerospace, power generation and transportation industries. Their products range from small, hand-held test and monitoring equipment, to large test stands and cranes with state of the art, radio frequency identification embedded tool control systems. With the support of 53 employees, HABCO produces solutions for a long list of customers including Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Airbus, and General Electric. Their products are even used on Delta Airlines, Air New Zealand, and American Airlines planes. In the last three years, HABCO’s bookings have doubled, their sales have grown by 50%, and the company has added more than 20 people to their workforce. They have also signed a multi-year exclusive agreement with Pratt & Whitney to be the designated supplier of commercial tooling for Pratt & Whitney legacy engine programs. In addition, HABCO has secured additional licenses and sole sourced agreements with Sikorsky, Honeywell, and the US military.
Last year, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded HABCO a $2 million loan to help the company acquire new machining equipment, expand their manufacturing capabilities, and add 26 new jobs. HABCO has maintained United Technologies’ Supplier Gold Status since 2012 for best in class on-time delivery, quality, and customer satisfaction. HABCO also partners with state universities and vocational high schools, such as Vinal Technical High School in Middletown and Windham Technical High School in Willimantic, to foster the next generation of employees in the aerospace manufacturing industry.
Murphy said, “HABCO is a Connecticut success story. They are growing by leaps and bounds, and creating good-paying jobs for Connecticut workers. Their partnerships with schools are a big part of their success, and show their commitment to local students and the future of Connecticut’s manufacturing industry.”
Brian Montanari, President & CEO of HABCO, said, “In the very competitive aerospace industry, we work hard to exceed our customers’ expectations every day. Our ability to not only grow our business with our existing customers, but to also build new customer relationships, hinges upon our ability to invest in our people and our company. The funding we received from the State of Connecticut has been instrumental in our ability to grow and we are fortunate to have been able to participate in these programs.”
The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.
