State Awards More Than $3.5 Million to Manufacturers

Designs on Innovation

Twenty-three companies, including five from Western Mass., were awarded significant grants at this year’s Manufacturing Mash-Up at Gillette Stadium.

Yvonne Hao, secretary of Economic Development, put it succinctly when she explained the critical intersection of manufacturing, technology and innovation, and workforce development in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts excels in advanced manufacturing because of our robust ecosystem made up of researchers discovering cutting-edge tools and technologies, universities spinning out startups and a pipeline of talented workers, and businesses advancing new solutions to meet global demands,” Hao said during last month’s Manufacturing Mash-Up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. “We’re excited to showcase the strength of our ecosystem at the annual Mash-Up event, and to invest in the manufacturing sector through these MMAP awards.”

Specifically, she was referring to more than $3.5 million distributed at the event to 23 manufacturing companies through the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP), which aims to strengthen supply chains and spur growth in the manufacturing sector. The grants will support the creation of up to 130 advanced-manufacturing jobs in Massachusetts and training for up to 151 workers.

“Massachusetts companies benefit from a state that engages with the private sector to catalyze collaborations with nonprofit partners and provide the resources needed to support growth in manufacturing through the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies.”

The Mash-Up, which brings together companies, students, and state officials, is hosted annually by the Massachusetts Center of Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), a public economic-development agency tasked with supporting business formation and growth in the Commonwealth’s tech and innovation sectors.

“Every year, the Mash-Up proves Massachusetts has a vibrant and engaged manufacturing ecosystem,” MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk said. “CAM is inspiring the next-generation workforce to enter the field, as evidenced by the hundreds of students who turn out to participate in the event.”

MMAP invests in small- to medium-sized manufacturers, funds capital equipment purchases, and creates partnerships between the manufacturers and nonprofit, academic, or quasi-public partners.

Yvonne Hao

“Massachusetts excels in advanced manufacturing because of our robust ecosystem made up of researchers discovering cutting-edge tools and technologies, universities spinning out startups and a pipeline of talented workers, and businesses advancing new solutions to meet global demands.”

“Massachusetts companies benefit from a state that engages with the private sector to catalyze collaborations with nonprofit partners and provide the resources needed to support growth in manufacturing through the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies,” said Ben Linville-Engler, CAM’s chief investment strategist and acting director. “Programs like MMAP also invest in workers through new jobs and upskilling opportunities, which will help ensure we have a strong advanced-manufacturing technology and talent base to support sectors across the Commonwealth’s economy.”

Local Impact

Five of the 23 companies awarded grants are based in the Pioneer Valley or the Berkshires. The total amount is $772,134.38, and the projects will create an estimated 27 to 35 jobs.

• Bay State Machine in Easthampton is a manufacturer of components for a wide array of companies within the defense, aerospace, medical, and semiconductor industries. Its $179,000 grant will enable Bay State to purchase a five-axis CNC machining center with an auto loader, allowing it to run lights-out to support its increasing demand for complex parts. As a result of this project, Bay State expects to upskill one to three employees.

• Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing in Lee is a contract manufacturer that produces sterile injectable drugs for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. Its $200,000 grant will enable it to purchase a state-of-the-art, high-capacity, pharmaceutical-grade vial washer, allowing Berkshire Sterile to ensure compliance with stringent regulations, increase automation capabilities, and save energy while reducing wastewater production. As a result of this project, Berkshire Sterile expects to upskill at least 11 employees.

• Cartamundi in East Longmeadow is a card- and board-game manufacturer that produces games for Hasbro and others. Its $193,134.38 grant will enable it to purchase a high speed, side-weld pouch machine for the manufacturing of plastic card sleeves used to protect trading, game, and collectible cards. There are no known manufacturers of protective sleeves within the U.S., with the current sleeves on the market being produced in China, Vietnam, and Japan. As a result of this project, Cartamundi expects to upskill four to six employees.

• Elegant Stitches Inc. in Pittsfield is a minority-owned custom embroidery and screen-printing company, whose clients include the U.S. Army and the FBI. Its $198,930.21 grant will enable it to purchase two new embroidery machines, a laser cutter and engraver, and a robotic sewing machine, allowing it to produce at higher volumes and efficiency and positioning the company to be a formidable manufacturer in the defense industry. As a result of this project, Elegant Stitches expects to upskill four to six employees.

• Lenco Industries Inc. is the nation’s leading designer and manufacturer of commercial armored response and rescue vehicles used by the U.S. military, U.S. law enforcement, and government agencies worldwide. Its $200,000 grant will enable it to purchase a robotic welding system, allowing it to automate a formerly manual process. Lenco will produce small batches of custom parts and high-volume components at a quality that will meet strict standards. As a result of this project, it expects to upskill seven to 10 employees.

The 18 other grant awardees include Accutronics LCC in Chelmsford ($200,000), Aimtek in Auburn ($106,205), Allium Engineering in Somerville ($200,000), Alogus Innovation & Design in Somerville ($55,217), Atlas Devices in Chelmsford ($100,000), Evans Machine Co. in Brockton ($200,000), Finwave Semiconductor Inc. in Waltham ($61,972), Gemline in Lawerence ($200,000), H&S Tool and Engineering Inc. in Fall River ($200,000), Innofiber in Sterling ($110,000), Iradion in Uxbridge ($84,255), OutCast Lures in Holliston ($58,894), RH Adhesives in Acton ($200,000), Salem Metal Inc. in Middleton ($200,000), South Shore Millwork Inc. in Norton ($200,000), Steele Canvas Basket Corp. in Wilmington ($139,851), Stergis Windows and Doors in Attleboro ($200,000), and Wellness Croft Inc. in Plymouth ($100,000).