Smith & Wesson Brokers Charitable Fund to Local Technical Schools
Smith and Wesson, the 156-year-old legendary company located in Springfield Massachusetts announced a donation of $40,000 in cutting tools to the area technical schools.
The tools will be donated to the following 10 schools: William Dean HS in Holyoke, Westfield Vocational, Pathfinder Regional in Palmer, Putnam in Springfield, Chicopee Comp, Smith Vocational in Northampton, Franklin Tech in Turners Fall, MCDI in Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College, and Asnuntuck CC in Enfield CT.
In October 2007, Smith and Wesson donated three CNC’s to two area schools, and has taken a leadership role in working with local educators and providing assistance to the Springfield Public Schools in the development of the new Roger L Putnam Technical High school scheduled to break ground later in 2008. The new school will be an important contributor to supplying future employees to S&W. With their aging work force, S&W estimates that close to 200 of their present workers will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. Last month, Smith & Wesson hosted a company tour with the new Springfield Mayor Dominic J.Sarno.
In addition to their donation of tools and machinery, S&W has also conducted evening and afternoon training classes on their plant floor in a joint venture with the Hampden County Regional Employment Board. The courses were made available to incumbent employees from other precision manufacturing companies in the region as well their own employees.
Since October 2006, with the help of Suzanne M. Bump, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Sen. Michael R. Knapik, and the Patrick administration, 575 employees of precision manufacturing companies in the region have participated in similar skills enhancement education programs.
Michael F.Golden President & CEO presents Edward
Leyden, President of Ben Franklin
Design and
Manufacturing Co., a ceremonial check for $40,000. Ed
accepts the check on behalf of the Western
Massachusetts Chapter of National Tooling & Machining
Association (WMNTMA) where he presently serves as
President. Photo: Courtesy of Pioneer Tool.
