E-Newsletter
An Electronic Publication of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Inside this edition, you’ll discover the latest Chamber initiatives and success stories from across our region. From economic development projects and upcoming networking events to policy updates and workforce training opportunities, we’re keeping you connected to what matters most for your business and North Central Massachusetts.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is here to help – with trusted resources, a strong business network, and a support system to keep your business and the region moving forward
The current COVID-19 hasn’t stopped Wachusett Precision Tool (WPT) from growing, and Michael Carrigan, president of WPT, doesn’t intend on having it slow them down either. WPT has put in the appropriate safety policies as recommended by the CDC, including but not limited to masks, gloves, and social distancing.
Wachusett Precision Tool was created in December 2016 by Michael Carignan and vice president Matthew Saunders. The company was previously Bisson Tool and Die and was purchased in an asset sale. WPT started with eight employees and has grown to twenty-six employees over the past four years.
“Sales have increased from $800,000 in FY2016 to forecasted sales of $4,500,000 in FY2020. This sales growth was enabled by our expanded service offerings that include full mold building and qualification capabilities,” said Carignan.
According to their website, WPT is a full-service provider for medical products, medical device and packaging industries. WPT’s team is experienced in building a full range of prototype, pilot and class 101 production molds.
WPT offers full support through the development cycle of medical products, medical devices and complex packaging solutions. They offer quick-turn prototype solutions and have the capabilities to mold small quantities of parts for Design Verification and Human Factor Studies.
Their team is experienced in building molds and getting them through qualification, validation, and into production. They are more than “mold builders” as many of their key employees have come from the medical device manufacturing industry and have built and validated hundreds of medical molds for manufacturing globally.
“WPT purchased two injection molding machines that allow us to fully sample, debug and qualify all molds prior to delivering to our customers. Our experience with the qualification and validation of healthcare molds is instrumental to our ability to grow sales,” Carignan said.
WPT is currently in the process of purchasing the real estate they presently operate out of, and they expect to close on the purchase before the end of the calendar year. Once they have ownership of the building, they plan on developing plans for an expansion of floorspace that will enable continued growth.
“The most exciting activity for us is the purchase of the building and possible expansion. We have also added new equipment including a vertical EDM, CNC mill and laser engraver, and we have plans for additional equipment in the coming calendar year,” said Carignan.
Medical device and diagnostics contract manufacturer clients should reach out to the ever-growing Wachusett Precision Tool team for their next project. They are located at 830 Westminster Street in Fitchburg, MA. Find out more about WPT at www.wachusettprecisiontool.com or by calling them at 978-343-6443.
(Regional) – Fourteen men and women, sponsored by area companies as up and coming employees and future leaders in our community, have been accepted into the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI). CLI is dedicated to providing participants with individual leadership skills and a deep understanding of the region. The nine-month program focuses on education, government, health care, social services, justice system, media, arts and culture, environment and history. The Chamber created the Institute to inspire a new generation of men and women to enthusiastically assume important roles in their community. The program challenges individuals from diverse backgrounds to be influential in our region’s future.
Professor Mike Greenwood, business professor at Fitchburg State University and chairman of the Institute steering committee, is enthusiastic about this year’s participants and the meaningful professional, personal and community development they will take part in. “I have been with the class since it’s reintroduction in 2011. Each year, I am amazed and impressed with the dedication of the participants. Programs like this are an important asset within the community to ensure one that continues to thrive, even after our current leaders retire.”
Marty Connors, president of Rollstone Bank & Trust and past chairman of the Institute steering committee, led the Institute’s revival in 2010. “I was in the 1991 class of the Institute and it was an integral part of my success in the community. As Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2010, I felt we needed the program back to once again support our needs for leadership and succession planning. Rollstone Bank & Trust’s participants have enjoyed the program and become leaders here in their workplace and in the community. We could not be prouder of the work they have done.”
Participants in the CLI Class of 2021 include:
Anna Wilkins, North County Land Trust
Ashley Kenney, Fitchburg Public Library
Cindy Dalton, City of Fitchburg, Community Development Department
Colby O’Brien, The Arc of Opportunity
Kelly Johnson, Digital Federal Credit Union
Kijah Gordon, Mount Wachusett Community College
Marcio Cirino, Jr, Rollstone Bank & Trust
Nancy De La Rosa, Primerica
Natalia Aguilar, Resource Management, Inc
Paul Chlebecek, Baystate Financial
Ryan, Murphy, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Sam Smith, Advent Financial
Scherrie Keating, Diabetes Kare Consultants
Ty Adorno, Leominster Credit Union
About Community Leadership Institute
The Community Leadership Institute began in 1988, known then as Leadership North Central. Over the last 25 years, more than 250 participants have graduated from the Institute and become leaders in their communities, with over 100 in the last five years. Participants for the Institute are sponsored by their business and are seen as leaders or potential leaders within that company. Applications for each class are available in July & August of each year, sessions held once per month from October to June.
About the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (northcentralmass.com) is a business advocacy, economic development organization working to create and sustain relationships among businesses and between businesses and the community. The Chamber works to foster economic opportunity in Fitchburg, Leominster and the twenty-five other communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts. Find the Chamber online at northcentralmass.com or on Twitter at @NCMChamber.
Building Businesses
Building Communities™
Eric Beaudoin, owner of Beaudoin HVAC, has been working with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) since he was 14 years old. About eleven years ago, he came up with a plan to run his brother’s company for him and on October 30th, 2019, Eric purchased the company in full from his brother Keith.
Business started to grow with the assistance of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and then the pandemic hit shortly after at the beginning of this year, but COVID-19 hasn’t stopped Beaudoin in his tracks.
“We had a two-week furlough, which wasn’t easy to tell new employees, especially after buying the business in October,” Beaudoin said, “but we opened back up after those two weeks, and a lot of clients came back. Our office manager works remotely and our 24/7 emergency line responds quickly.”
Beaudoin HVAC prepared for the “new normal” with pre-screening questions to ensure the safety of their technicians and personal protection equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
The company recently became an authorized diamond dealer for Mitsubishi Electric, which allows them to be able to offer better warranties for clients, but they are also fluid in taking care of multiple brand and systems, including Daikin, American Standard, and more.
“We build a relationship with our clients, keeping their best interests in mind and what makes the most sense to solve the problem,” said Beaudoin. “We are transparent at the beginning, with no hidden nonsense. We go to the location, tell you what the problem is, and how to fix it. We aren’t perfect, but we just want to make sure that our clients are happy and satisfied with the service they receive. We love any client who love us, and appreciates the knowledge that we have.”
Masked up and ready to go, Beaudoin HVAC technicians are booked up with a full schedule up until around Christmas time. The fall time is the perfect time to get HVAC systems serviced, and Beaudoin recommends looking into hyper heat system installations, and can run all year instead of using gas or oil boilers.
Beaudoin HVAC can also service a wide variety of winter preparation such as preventing frozen pipes, checking thermostats, and annually following up with clients personally to recommend prepping their houses for winter time.
“We are proactive rather than reactive, which takes out the guess work for everyone,” said Beaudoin.
Pandemic or not, Beaudoin has brilliant plans for the future, such as growing the technician crew to a ten truck crew, so they may be able to care for a larger area of central Massachusetts.
“We want to build the brand so that clients can trust us, as we train ourselves to do the job right and put out the best product possible,” Beaudoin said.
For more information on Beaudoin HVAC, visit their website at www.beaudoinhvac.com or contact them via phone at 978-345-4270.
October 11, 2019 at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner MA from 8am-3:30pm
The New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference is a collaborative effort with workforce professionals from all over New England. This year’s theme is Twistin’ and Turnin’: Riding the Roller Coaster of Workforce Development, reflecting the tremendous synergistic value of planning and acting in concert with the various stakeholders in workforce areas. NEWN was conceived in 2001 in response to the desire among workforce development providers to share best practices and network in a larger context that goes beyond state boundaries. Since 2002, NEWN has held a number of day-long conferences that focus on a range of topics that resonate among professionals who are involved in workforce development within community colleges, workforce development boards, economic development agencies and other settings. We hope that you will be able to join us for our exciting 10th NEWN Conference.
This year’s Keynote Speaker is Jane Oates, President, WorkingNation.
Jane is on the Executive Committee of WorkingNation, a non-profit organization that works through film and live events to tell the stories of successful training programs. An education and policy expert, Jane became a national leader in education and workforce programs during her ten years with Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the US Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). She oversaw the Workforce Investment Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program while serving as the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training under Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis during the Obama administration.
For more information: mwcc.edu/newn2019
To Register: http://mwcc.3dcartstores.com/NEWN-Conference-2019_p_1653.html
When the workday ends and the lights go down, Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody, Inc. gets to work. “We operate as our clients’ silent partner after business hours,” says Adam Paicos, of Templeton, who now serves as Director of Operations and oversees the company’s expansion into North Central MA. “We are not often seen, but we ensure facilities are clean, secure, and ready for business each day while serving as the eyes and ears for our clients when they are not on site.”
Discover local business stories through our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast series. Listen as Chamber members share their journeys, insights, and contributions to our thriving regional business community.
Looking for your next opportunity? Explore current job openings from employers across North Central Massachusetts on our Jobs Board. Whether you’re starting a new career or making a change, you’ll find a variety of local positions available to help you take the next step.
CapEx Facility Services & Construction · Leominster, MA
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center · Harvard, MA
DRS Power Technology, Inc. · Fitchburg, MA
AIS · Leominster, MA