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By Jim Bodor
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF December 13, 2003
WORCESTER — Holliston’s loss is Worcester’s gain. Stonebridge Corp., a 16-employee precision welding firm, has officially moved from Holliston to Worcester. The company yesterday unveiled its new headquarters at 650 Lincoln St., in the former site of Jamesbury Manufacturing. With the move, Stonebridge, which makes welded and machined components for clients such as EMC Corp. and Raytheon Co., gains the space to add new equipment and expand its work force.
The new 13,500 square-foot location also puts the company closer to major routes and a well-trained vocational labor force. Stonebridge specializes in making relatively small batches of specialized or custom-designed welded components that go into such things as oceanography equip0ment, air traffic control systems and medical products.
“Our location is right off of (Interstate) 290 and offers great access to our customers and suppliers,” said Kerstin E. Forrester, president and chief executive. “Holliston is really a bedroom town, not too close to major routes. And we’ll also get access to a trained work force and the ability to work with the schools here.”
U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, who attended the opening, commended Stonebridge for choosing Worcester for its future growth. “It’s really refreshing to hear somebody talk about all the great things in Worcester and why this is a great place to locate,” said Mr. McGovern, DWorcester. Ms. Forrester, a former longtime Saint-Gobain Abrasives Inc. executive, bought Stonebridge Corp. in December 1998. The company was founded in 1960.
Since that acquisition, she has sought help from WPI engineering students and Worcester’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership to adopt socalled “lean” manufacturing techniques to improve productivity.
Stonebridge has posted small losses since 2001, but Ms. Forrester said yesterday she is optimistic that 2004 will represent a turning point for the business. With the addition of four to six new employees, and three new pieces of equipment, Stonebridge should have a better 2004, she said.
“With the new equipment in place and a forecast of a better national economy for 2004, we’re definitely optimistic.” She said.
