Made in Connecticut - Connecticut's manufacturing future, from high-tech to hand-made.

What’s Behind the Connecticut-Made Brand?

What consumer product comes to mind when you think of Vermont? Maple syrup, Cabot cheese, or Ben & Jerry’s, perhaps? If that’s what comes up in a kind of consumer word association, marketing gurus would nod their heads knowingly. A strong product is great, but if you don’t build a strong brand, it won’t sell. How […]

Helping Manufacturers Save for the Future

Hugh McCann practically glowed with pride as he show off the main Bridgeport facility of his company, Identification Products. “We make custom labels, name plates, decals, graphic overlays, control panels – things that go onto or into other products that are manufactured around the world,” he said.

McCann’s business is innovative and successful, but like many other business owners, he’s bothered by one of the consequences of that success. “Right now, when we make a profit at the end of the year, there’s a tax event,” he said. “The taxes on my profits are 46 percent.” He has a different idea about what he could do with that money instead of seeing such a big chunk go to the government.

How Connecticut Manufacturing Businesses Have Beat the Odds for 100 years

While Connecticut manufacturing has had a turbulent history in the last 100 years, state historian Walter Woodward said one important trait has led to the survival of some businesses, even after entire industries were wiped out. “Since the early 19th century, Connecticut has displayed a remarkable ability to adapt to a changing environment,” he said.