Inductees
Inductees
Bead Industries Inc.
Bead Industries, formerly called Bead Chain Manufacturing Co., is comprised of two divisions, Bead Chain and Bead Electronics, located in Milford, Con-necticut and a wholly owned subsidiary, McGuire Manufacturing Company, a producer of plumbing fixture trim located in Cheshire, Connecticut.
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The Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Co.
Today, historians credit six Connecticut men with starting the brass industry in the United States. All were either partners, collaborators, or direct competitors with Aaron Benedict and his company.
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C. Cowles & Co.
C. Cowles & Company was founded in 1838 by Chandler Cowles and William Cornwall. The business began at 122 York Street in New Haven and later moved to 138 Orange Street. In later years the Cowles acquired other companies. Starting in 1967 it acquired The Phillips Manufacturing Company, an injection molding company. In the ’70s a couple of extruder companies were acquired, which became Cowles Products, an automotive aftermarket trim supplier. In 1979, Hydrolevel, a liquid level sensing controls company, was acquired, which is now a leading controls supplier to the heating industry. In 2009, Cowles acquired the Carlin Combustion Company, which is a burner and controls company for the heating industry. These four companies, along with Cowles Stamping (the original C. Cowles & Company) are the five operating divisions of C. Cowles & Company.
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Chance Vought
When Chance Vought founded his aircraft company in 1917, little did he know that his small enterprise would someday design and build aircraft that would change the face of aviation. From the first airplane to take off from a carrier in 1922 to the famed F4U gull-winged Corsair of World War II and the record-setting F8U fighter, Chance Vought aircraft were known for their innovation and durability. For more than 75 years, Vought airplanes were in service with the U.S. Navy. Today, the Vought name is owned by Triumph Group, Inc.
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Platt Brothers & Co.
In 1797, when Nathan Platt set his sights on a plot of land along the Naugatuck River, he imagined a future based on family enterprise and economic security. Seventeen hundred dollars bought him a house and barn with 30 acres of land, a gristmill, sawmill, and water rights. Twenty years later, his son Alfred purchased the property alongside Nathan’s, and established the small button making and metal working factory, which would later become A. Platt & Co.
The Platt Brothers and Co. today is what Nathan Platt imagined over 200 years ago, and perhaps more — a thriving manufacturing company honoring family tradition and values, in a global market where his name is as far reaching as was his vision for success.
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2016 Leadership Award
2016 Leadership Award
Jerry L. Clupper

Jerry Clupper has been the Executive Director of the New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA) for 16 years during which time the association has become widely recognized as the voice and action nexus of manufacturing in Connecticut. Advocating with the collective voice of all manufacturers, NHMA works with both public and business organizations to promote and achieve sustainability and growth of Connecticut manufacturing.
Known for creating partnerships and collaboratons, Jerry additionally is a manufacturing policy representative with a “seat at the table” at many state and regional committees and at other organizations supporting manufacturing. He collaborates with educators, associations, chambers, and all like-minded supporters of local, regional, state and national manufacturing. Maintaining and developing a technically capable workforce is one of the keys to this effort (“Manufacturing is not dead; it is different and vital to a vibrant economy.”)
As Vice President of Statimate Systems he also maintains a management, engineering and technology consulting practice for local, national and international clients. He has 30 years of industry and 25 years of consulting experience in technical, quality and management functions, He was previously General Manager - Technical for Carpenter Technology Corporation, a leader in the production of specialty steel products and Director of Quality for Emson Research, a manufacturer of high volume injection molded plastic consumer dispensing products.
He received the Bachelor of Science, Metallurgical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to quality management training by Dr. W. Edwards Deming he attained ASQ Certified Quality Engineer & Certified Quality Auditor and ISO Lead Assessor certification.
He has been active and held offices in numerous technical and economic development associations and has been recognized with many awards in these areas.
Other activities include singing with the University Glee Club, skiing, bicycling, hiking and exercise/health programs, in addition to home and family oriented activities.
HCC Advanced Manufacturing Program Alumni
HCC Advanced Manufacturing Program Alumni
Jermaine Burke

Jermaine Burke grew up in Bridgeport, CT and graduated from Bassick High School. He spent a somewhat winding youth, which left him searching for a straightforward future path. His interest in how and why things worked led him to the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, where he completely immersed himself in learning the intricacies of metrology, machine operation and CNC capabilities. A quick study, Jermaine was able to grasp both concepts and operations handily, earning him top grades in his class. Determination, an always ready smile and outgoing personality captured the attention of staff and students alike, as Jermaine demonstrated leadership ability.
Having already earned certifications in OSHA, lead and asbestos abatement, forklift operation, Jermaine was a prime candidate for an internship. Mike Goodman at Balding Precision gave him that opportunity and after having spent most of the winter working Fridays, Jermaine was offered a full-time position. Speaking with Mike, he found Jermaine to be well-grounded in the basics of manufacturing. He describes Jermaine as bright, a self-starter and someone eager to take intruction. More than that however, Mike remarks that Jermaine has a feel for the field while demonstrating responsibility, dependability and even disposition. By his assessment, Jermaine has tremendous potential...so much so that Mike has provided personal tutorials and is willing to sponsor additional training for him. Jermaine observes that Mike is a great boss who takes an interest in his employees. “He’s a good teacher and takes time with me; it’s as if I was somehow meant to work here. It really doesn't get much better than that!&dquo;
Jermaine describes himself as "determined to become a model for community youth; humble and hungry to make a difference and leave things better that I found them." Jermaine received several awards while completing the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program at HCC including "Outstanding Student Award" this spring for the 2016 Work Place Awards and "Academic Excellence Award" for outstanding performance from Housatonic Communoty College. We celebrate Jermaine's accomplishments.