Manufacturing Hall of Fame Honors Connecticut Innovators

The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame this week recognized Connecticut businesses and leaders who are innovating and shooting for the stars. 

The group hosted its first statewide induction ceremony at The Jackson Laboratory in Farmington April 13.

General Dynamics Electric Boat, ASML, and RBC Bearings were among the 2023 inductees. 

“Building the finest submarines in the world requires talented people to design, construct, and enhance our products,” General Dynamics Electric Boat director of communications Dan McFadden said.

“We are grateful to the Hall of Fame and its partners for their advocacy to expand training programs and create opportunities for the next generation.”

Innovator Award

The organization also presented Marion Manufacturing president Doug Johnson [pictured above] with the 2023 Innovator/Leadership award.

Johnson said organizations around the state have helped him succeed in innovating and creating a strong workforce that he relies on to help his company grow. 

“It has been a challenge. It has been a lot of fun.”

Marion Manufacturing’s Doug Johnson

He said it wasn’t too long ago that the average age of his employees was 62. Now it’s 32. 

“It has been a challenge. It has been a lot of fun,” said Johnson.

“They get it done.” 

Transform Society

While the event honored specific individuals and companies who have excelled, it also celebrated partnerships and programs with various agencies, including the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.

One Housatonic Community College student shared his personal story of growing up in Cape Verde with extreme asthma. 

Upon moving to the U.S., one attack nearly had put him in a coma, and would have killed him if he were still living in Cape Verde. 

Terrific celebration at @JacksonLab for the @AmMfgHallFame induction ceremony. Inductees included @ASMLcompany, @GDElectricBoat, and @BearingsRBC, while @MarionMfg's @douglasnjohnson was honored with the 2023 innovator/leadership award. #MadeinCT #manufacturing #transformCT pic.twitter.com/czgzrBUyMb

— Chris DiPentima (@ChrisDipentima) April 13, 2023

His experiences inspire his career path, which is made possible because of educational scholarships. 

“It is my dream to create medical devices that will help save the lives of people that battle asthma, people like me,” the student, who is pursuing an engineering degree, said. 

He also challenged attendees to continue to use their expertise and talents to discover new heights.

“Think of where you began and what you are capable of now. Use your experience in manufacturing to create a spark that will influence and change and transform society.” 

To Infinity and Beyond

Already, a group of manufacturers in Connecticut have played a critical role in supporting space exploration.

NASA’s Artemis I mission successfully sent an unmanned Orion spacecraft around the moon for 25 days.

Forty-one Connecticut manufacturers were instrumental in that moonshot program. 

“Connecticut is home to the best trained, best skilled workforce on the planet.”

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy

With the help of Connecticut’s federal delegation, the Manufacturing Hall of Fame honored the companies with a Boldy Go! award. 

Among the recipients were Ashcroft, Aerospace Testing Lab, Collins Aerospace, Fischer Technology, The Lee Company, and RBC Bearings. 

“Connecticut is home to the best trained, best skilled workforce on the planet, so it’s not a surprise that NASA has hired and contracted with so many of our manufacturers here in Connecticut to supply the products that are supporting this groundbreaking space exploration mission,” U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said.