Connecticut Manufacturers and Brands
We are compiling an ever growing list of businesses who make products here in Connecticut.
USA Made ↔ Connecticut ↓
We are compiling an ever growing list of businesses who make products here in Connecticut.
ManufactureCT
ManufactureCT, formerly known as the New Haven Manufacturers Association since 1913, serves as a gateway to success in Connecticut's manufacturing industry by promoting positive change through policy, legislation, education, and workforce development.
Smaller Manufacturers Association of Connecticut (SMA-CT)
SMA-CT aims to help smaller manufacturers thrive through communication, education, collaboration, and advocacy, with a vision to make Connecticut an ideal place for such businesses.
Connecticut Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA)
As the Connecticut chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, CTMA promotes manufacturing interests by providing resources for information, education, training, and services to enhance member competitiveness and profitability.
Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA)
CBIA acts as the leading voice for Connecticut businesses, working to foster economic growth through policy advocacy, legislative efforts, and public-private collaboration, with a strong focus on manufacturing.
Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Association (EAMA)
EAMA is a non-profit organization comprising manufacturers in Eastern Connecticut and nearby regions, dedicated to advancing the manufacturing agenda through collaboration among over 50 companies.
Cadco, Ltd., headquartered in Winsted, Connecticut, has established itself as a prominent player in the foodservice equipment industry since its founding in 1996. The company operates from its facility at 200 International Way, Winsted, CT 06098, where it designs and manufactures a wide array of innovative appliances tailored for commercial kitchens and catering operations. With a strong emphasis on quality and understanding the demands of the foodservice sector, Cadco has grown to become a leader in providing reliable equipment that enhances efficiency in restaurants, hotels, and institutional settings across the United States. Its Connecticut roots contribute to the local economy, supporting jobs in manufacturing and distribution while fostering innovation in an industry that relies on durable, high-performance tools.
Cadco's product lineup includes convection ovens, high-speed ovens like the VariKwik+ Speed Oven, food warmers, action station carts, griddles, toasters, and buffet equipment, all designed to meet the rigorous needs of professional food preparation. The company specializes in countertop solutions that offer versatility for space-constrained environments, such as panini grills and hot plates, alongside larger food service carts for mobile catering. By focusing on cutting-edge features like fast cooking technology and energy efficiency, Cadco continues to innovate from its Connecticut base, serving dealers and end-users nationwide through partnerships with suppliers like KaTom and Globe Equipment. This commitment to advancement has solidified Cadco's reputation for dependable equipment that supports the evolving demands of the foodservice landscape.
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB), a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, operates its primary shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, along the Thames River. Spanning 118 acres, this facility has been central to submarine design, engineering, construction, and maintenance since the early 20th century.
Originally established in 1899 as the Electric Boat Company, the Groton site became the main manufacturing hub starting with the USS Cuttlefish in 1931, and it has played a pivotal role in U.S. naval history by building iconic vessels like the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, in 1954.
Today, Groton supports a wide range of operations, including the assembly of hull sections and modules sourced from partner facilities like Quonset Point in Rhode Island and Huntington Ingalls-Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, as well as lifecycle support for active submarines at the nearby Naval Submarine Base in New London.
The Groton operations feature advanced infrastructure, such as the Land Level Ship Construction Facility developed in the 1970s for the TRIDENT program, which uses electric/hydraulic transfer cars and a graving dock with pontoons for efficient submarine launching. Additional amenities include two dry docks, multiple piers, and specialized shops for repairs, alongside over 400,000 square feet dedicated to design work enhanced by an Electronic Visualization System for collaborative reviews.
Currently, the facility is focused on constructing Virginia-class attack submarines under multi-billion-dollar contracts and the next-generation Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, underscoring its critical role in national defense and undersea warfare capabilities. With a workforce contributing to over 14,000 employees company-wide, Groton's operations continue to drive innovation in submarine technology for the U.S. Navy.
Sikorsky Aircraft, a pioneering force in aviation, traces its roots to the visionary Igor Sikorsky, a Russian-American engineer who founded the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Company in 1923 on a modest chicken farm near Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York. Facing financial challenges, the company relocated to Stratford, Connecticut, in 1929, where it reorganized as the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation and began producing innovative flying boats and helicopters.
This move marked the beginning of Sikorsky's deep ties to the state, with the company establishing its headquarters in Stratford and contributing to Connecticut's legacy of aerospace innovation. Over the decades, Sikorsky developed groundbreaking helicopters, including the VS-300, the world's first viable American helicopter in 1939, solidifying Connecticut's role in advancing rotary-wing aircraft technology.
Today, Sikorsky Aircraft operates as a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, acquired in 2015, and remains headquartered in Stratford, Connecticut, employing thousands and driving economic growth in the region. The company continues to innovate with iconic models like the UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-53K King Stallion, securing major contracts such as a $10 billion deal in 2025 to build helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps. Celebrating its centennial in 2023, Sikorsky's presence in Connecticut symbolizes the state's enduring aerospace heritage, with ongoing advancements in military, commercial, and rescue helicopters that impact global aviation.
Stanley Black & Decker, originally founded as The Stanley Works in 1843 in New Britain, Connecticut, has grown into the world's largest tool company, specializing in industrial tools, household hardware, and security solutions. The company maintains its global headquarters in New Britain, where it began as two separate entities—Stanley Works and Stanley Rule & Level—before merging and eventually combining with Black & Decker in 2010. With a strong emphasis on American manufacturing, Stanley Black & Decker operates 30 facilities across 20 U.S. states, employing thousands and focusing on innovation in tools and outdoor equipment under iconic brands like STANLEY, DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, BLACK+DECKER, and others. Its history is deeply intertwined with New Britain, making it the last major hardware company remaining in the town, and it continues to invest in U.S.-based production and vocational training to support the skilled trades.
In New Britain, Stanley Black & Decker operates a manufacturing plant that produces a range of tools, including CRAFTSMAN tape measures, DEWALT power tools, and various STANLEY industrial products such as hand tools like screwdrivers, levels, hammers, try squares, mitre boxes, bit braces, and hand drills. While some historical hand tool production facilities in the area have been repurposed—such as one downtown building converted into a data center in 2023—the company still emphasizes high-quality, U.S.-made products at its New Britain site to meet global demand. This location underscores the firm's commitment to domestic manufacturing, contributing to its portfolio of over 100 worldwide facilities while prioritizing tools for professional and consumer use.
The Waterbury Button Company, established in 1812 in Waterbury, Connecticut, emerged during the War of 1812 as a critical response to the disruption of button supplies from Britain, the United States' primary supplier at the time. Founded amid the button industry's early roots in the region, which dated back to 1790 with the Grilley Brothers producing tin and pewter buttons, the company quickly specialized in stamped metal buttons for military uniforms. Over the 19th century, it grew from a modest village operation into a prominent national manufacturer, supplying fasteners for the U.S. armed forces and expanding its product line to include innovative materials like shellac and early plastics by mid-century.
Throughout its history, the Waterbury Button Company has adapted to technological advancements, incorporating plastic production as early as 1849 and diversifying into items such as checkers and dominoes. Today, it continues to produce buttons for a wide array of clients, including all U.S. military branches, and maintains a rich legacy preserved through the Waterbury Button Museum, which features a collection assembled over 60 years ago highlighting the cultural and historical significance of buttons. The company's enduring impact on American manufacturing underscores Waterbury's nickname as the "Brass City," reflecting its role in industrial innovation and wartime support.
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