Manufacturers Positively Impact Commonwealth’s Economic Health
Manufacturers across the state provide a strong backbone for the Massachusetts economy. Recognized by the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development (MAED) at their Second Annual Team Massachusetts Awards Luncheon in November of 2005, several leading manufacturing companies were honored for their positive impact on the state’s economy.
With Governor Romney as the keynote speaker and over 380 industry leaders in attendance, MAED honored sixteen companies with its Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards. As Governor Romney aptly described it, the annual event honors companies and organizations that "have contributed significantly to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth through job creation, financial investment, and community involvement." Of the sixteen companies, eleven were honored as finalists and five as winners within their region.
Strikingly, over half of the companies honored at the event were manufacturers with facilities in Massachusetts. Those honored play a strong role in revitalizing communities, providing well-paying employment opportunities, and expanding in Massachusetts. They included Interprint, Intel Massachusetts, and DePuy Orthopaedics as winners within their regions; Kleer Lumber, Cytyc, Cell Signaling Technology, and Süddekor as regional finalists; and Abbott Bioresearch Center as an Economic Booster.
Interprint, as the Western Massachusetts winner, exemplifies a company committed to the Commonwealth. Recently, Interprint, a manufacturer of decorative laminating products, constructed a 135,000 sq.ft. manufacturing plant in Pittsfield. This expansion was the largest private investment in new plant construction in Pittsfield’s history and the largest single investment of the Interprint group. Interprint expects to increase its employees by 25% over the next two years.
Intel Massachusetts, the Central Massachusetts winner, commits substantial time, capital, and employment opportunities to Massachusetts. The company invested $17 million in Hudson, increasing manufacturing capacity by 25%. In September, Intel announced an additional $155 million investment and the hiring of 300 more employees to increase their manufacturing capacity. Intel Massachusetts is also a community leader, working with local and state educators to improve science, math, and technology education.
DePuy Orthopaedics, a Johnson & Johnson company, the Southeastern Massachusetts winner, expanded to 74,000 sq.ft. of new office space in Raynham, allowing for 385 personnel to be employed at the site. The company was also recognized for expanding operations at its New Bedford site, adding manufacturing capacity and professional offices. DePuy’s presence in southeastern Massachusetts strengthens the important medical device manufacturing base in the region.
These companies, among many others, play an important role in enriching the Commonwealth’s economy and MAED’s annual Economic Impact Awards provides an important annual forum to recognize their achievements.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development is a private, non-profit partnership of business, industry leaders, and government dedicated to fostering economic growth in the Commonwealth. Launched in 1993, the Alliance markets Massachusetts by providing information services to companies seeking to expand within or relocate to Massachusetts. The Alliance’s services include a statewide Site Finder Service, a Research and Information Service, and an Ambassadors Network. The Alliance has worked with over 1,000 companies, retained or attracted over 35,000 jobs, and has a membership of 50 public and private members.
