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Last Thursday Bead Industries celebrated a monumental achievement: its 100-year anniversary in continuous business. I’m extremely proud to have been a part of the company’s history for the last 16 years, and that a small family business in Connecticut can accomplish such a milestone.
Though a little damp and foggy, more than 150 people came through our doors to help us celebrate: including current employees and their families, board members, former employees, vendors, customers, colleagues and fellow manufactures. We were also extremely delighted that legislators from Hartford and local officials came to make speeches and present Bead with proclamations memorializing the occasion. Joining us were Senator Gayle Slossberg, House Representatives Paul Davis, Kim Rose and James Maroney, as well as Milford Mayor Benjamin Blake and Orange’s First Selectman James Zeoli. May 8th was proclaimed “Bead Industries Day” in both Milford and Orange, as our facility straddles the town line. Even a proclamation from Governor Malloy’s office honored and recognized Bead’s accomplishment
There was plenty of food and drink for the visitors including a specially brewed pale ale labeled “Bead Industries Centenni-ale.” There were history boards located throughout the building, each describing a decade of manufacturing innovation, and an 18-minute video of the history of Bead and the Bryant family premiered in the Boardroom.
A great time was had by all.
Bead Industries Celebrates 100 Years with its Employees – On March 17th, Bead Industries celebrated 100 years of continuous operation. Though many public events are in the works for the coming months, today was a time for Bead employees to gather together to celebrate the company’s centennial year in their Milford/Orange plant. Corned beef and cabbage was brought in from a local restaurant, and […] http://ow.ly/2ERzpY
Bead Industries Marks 100 Years of Manufacturing Innovation – Bead Industries, Inc., global manufacturer of electronic contact pins for the telecom, automotive, and connector industries and supplier of Bead Chain® and McGuire commercial plumbing products, celebrates its 100th year in business this year. Founded in 1914 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bead Industries developed and manufactured Bead Chain® for electric light pulls. Using the same innovative […] http://ow.ly/2DcLDP
Bead Welcomes a Third Daughter to the Business – Leading contact pin manufacturer for nearly 100 years, Bead Industries, Inc., announces the addition of another fifth generation family member, Sylvia Pessin, to the family business. Bead has hired Pessin as Customer Relationship Manager, making her the third daughter to join the company. Her sisters, Jill Mayer and Leah Davenport, came to Bead in 2008 […] http://ow.ly/2y1PTf
Bryant receives Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year SBA Award http://ow.ly/2wJFCn
Expounding on Exports – The New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA) held its annual dinner meeting last night in … http://ow.ly/1kFK27
Bead Chain Launches New Website, Increases Traffic by 20% – Bead Chain, a division of Bead Industries, launched a ne… http://ow.ly/1jQCBQ
An electronics manufacturer can have an enviable customer list, a world class facility, and dynamite products; but if it doesn’t have the right people in the right places, it can be in real trouble.
Employees can make or break a company. Lee Iacocca once said, “I hire people brighter than me and then I get out of their way.” This is terrific advice. You want to lose a valuable employee? Micro-manage them in what you’ve hired them to do.
Bead is very fortunate to have bright and dedicated workers. Some have been here for decades, some just hired at the beginning of the year. They are self-starters, hard working and committed. They know that the customer’s expectations must be exceeded in order to retain their business. And it’s important they have “skin in the game” which is why we have profit sharing for everyone: the better we do, the better they do.
We try desperately not to hire too quickly, especially when business spikes. Hiring the wrong person can be time consuming, costly and disruptive to the organization. Good workers will always see those who don’t pull their weight, and it can become a disincentive for them. That’s why it’s vital that only “A” players are on the bus; no matter how difficult or heart wrenching, you must remove and leave the others behind.
As a family business, Bead provides opportunities for skilled family members…only if they have prior work experience and there is a position open in their area of expertise. Expectations are higher for family members, and many times the demands are greater. But one of the most gratifying feelings is when you realize that those family members are really “A” players, too. And there is always room on the bus for “A” employees.
I have to admit, I’ve become rather fond of golf. You may have a round punctuated with poor shots, difficult lies and missed opportunities. But all it takes is one great drive or a thirty foot putt to bring you back for another round of self-imposed abuse.
Despite its challenges, golf usually reflects a player’s personality. And that’s why you should routinely invite business associates, vendors and customers out to the course. The way they play the game is going to be very similar to how they’ll perform in business.
Some people say golf has too many rules. But because there are so many variables in the game, rules, along with handicaps, are established to level the playing field so that all players can compete fairly against each other.
Golf is a game of honesty and integrity. In many instances, you are alone when you find your ball in the rough; do you improve your lie when no one’s looking or do you nudge your ball a foot or two to put it in bounds? How does your guest react to poor shots? When he or she shanks one into the woods, do they swear, throw their club or laugh. After all, it’s only a game.
How do you play the game?
Still, there is nothing better than a pleasant day on the golf course with a group of players who love the game, but are also comfortable with themselves and the way they play. Those are the people I’d do business with.
Last week the Connecticut House followed the Senate by passing the Paid Sick Leave bill (SB-913). Many manufacturers of all sizes wrote their representatives to oppose this bill: not that paid sick leave is a bad idea, but because it’s another area where government is intruding on business decisions. Although manufacturers were eventually excluded from SB 913, most manufacturers already provide paid time off for sickness. But business people see this as a way for government to get their foot in the door to begin to dictate what’s best for our employees. It’s obvious that a business that treats its employees poorly is one that has high turnover and usually poor quality.
The state of Connecticut continually stresses it’s a business friendly state, but it imposes high taxes, strict regulations, has expensive energy, uncommonly high property values, costly transportation…and a liberal state government that insists it knows what’s best for business.
The next hurdle will be the Captive Audience bill (HB 5460) which would restrict what employers can talk about with their employees at required company meetings. It specifically prohibits employers from expressing their views on matters deemed “political” in nature with political defined very broadly to include a list of activities ranging from actual politics and political party affiliation to the decision to join any political, social, community or labor organization activity. Of course, this is just another bone being thrown at the unions: and a close cousin to the “Card Check” bill which has failed on many levels. But the audacity of state government to dictate what I can and cannot talk to my employees about is an affront!
I tell you what: as soon as government gets its house in order (balanced budget and all), then let’s talk about what’s best for business owners.
The Family Jewels Are Nickel-Plated Steel 