“Connecticut is home to the best manufacturers and it’s because of companies like Franklin Products,” said Murphy.

Franklin Products, founded in 1988, is a global leader in airline cushions and upholstery covers with a focus on engineering expertise in aerospace interior industry. They are helping to lead the evolution of airplane seating design with its methodology, which includes rigorous technical analysis of materials and product configurations, ergonomic analysis and verification of designs and consultation on product aesthetics.

Franklin Products partners with airlines to contribute significantly to the overall comfort and styling of an aircraft and provide products to major airlines worldwide.

The 50,000-square-foot facility in Torrington currently houses 156 employees, but the company employs 1,400 people globally.

“I got to see firsthand the innovative work being done in their Torrington plant, and I want to applaud them for their decades of commitment to Connecticut manufacturing. My office is here to help in any way we can,” said Murphy.

Murphy toured the Torrington facility with company president Kerri Picard on “National Manufacturing Day,” on Oct. 4.

“It was an honor to have U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy visit our Franklin Products headquarters, located in Torrington, Connecticut for over 30 years,” said Picard. “Our success and continued success is highly influenced by the people we employ in Connecticut. Our designs must be innovative and artistic while also being cost-effective, so the true artists, great thinkers and motivated teammates we employ keep us ahead of the competition. Manufacturers are a strong factor in creating and keeping working class jobs in our state. Today’s aerospace industry is so incredibly cost driven that every year it becomes more and more important to have the support of our government to motivate manufacturers not only to stay in our state and contribute to a robustly diverse economy, but also to entice others to flock here, bringing more jobs in. That’s why we are so thankful for Sen. Murphy’s support and personal visit.”

Franklin Products, Inc. also routinely gives back to the community and participates in a number of charities and schools in Connecticut, including Children’s Community School, St. Mary Magdalen School, Sacred Heart High School and the University of Hartford. The company also, organizes “Jean Day Fridays” and asks participating employees to make a donation to the charity of the month, which is matched by Franklin Products.