Made in Connecticut: HarcoSemco
Each month, we profile a Connecticut manufacturer, showcasing the ingenuity and innovation driving the state’s economy. For January, we spoke with Ryan Elliott, president of HarcoSemco, based in Branford.
When was your company founded?
In 1951, Harco Labs was founded in Branford. In 1965, Semco Instruments was founded in Valencia, California. These companies merged in 2016 to form HarcoSemco.
How many employees work for your company?
225.
What products does your company manufacture? Who are your customers?
We produce temperature, speed, pressure, proximity, and other sensors for aircraft engines, and the wire harnesses that connect those sensors and transmit data to the flight deck. We provide products to all aircraft OEMs, engine manufacturers, and airlines.
Why did you choose manufacturing?
Creating products that fly on aircraft, keep people safe, connect mankind, and enable our entire world economy is intoxicating.
On top of that, manufacturing creates jobs! We get the chance to employ a large number of wonderful individuals, provide them with a great culture to work in, and offer them the ability to provide a comfortable life for their families and loved ones.
What makes your company unique?
We pride ourselves on our “engineer-to-engineer” approach to business, providing our customers with a direct connection to the team that will design and service their products.
Why did you choose Connecticut?
New England is an aerospace manufacturing hub, with a significant number of industry leaders within close proximity.
Setting up our operations in Connecticut means that we are able to service our customers on a more personal basis, and have frequent, close contact with them, gaining a better understanding of our customer’s needs.
What is the greatest advantage to operating in Connecticut?
The talent pool for skilled labor is unmatched in Connecticut. This is a direct result of excellent education options at both public and private schools, creating a workforce with the technical aptitude required for our complex industry.
Where do you see your company in five years? Ten years?
Given the amount of growth opportunities in aerospace today, HarcoSemco is well positioned for extraordinary growth in the coming years, solidifying our position as the supplier of choice for high performance sensing equipment and complex wire harnesses.
What’s the main thing policymakers could implement to make your company more competitive?
Improving the incentive options provided to manufacturing businesses like HarcoSemco would dramatically improve our competitive position against companies in more cost-competitive states and countries, and would allow for more investment and hiring to grow our business.
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