BRIDGEPORT – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that Moore Tool Company – a fourth generation, family-owned and -operated manufacturer in Bridgeport – is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Richard F. Moore founded Moore Tool in 1924 as a tool and die company, but not long after, he realized that the machinery he needed to conduct his business was not available. Over the years, Moore evolved his product line to meet these demands, and today, Moore Tool manufactures automated computer numerical control (CNC) Continuous Path jig grinders, sensor systems, and other equipment for aerospace, defense, optics, food packaging, metal stamping, and plastics forming industries. Moore Tool employs 65 workers and is currently looking to hire new software engineers and CNC machinists. In addition to their 100,000 square-foot, temperature-controlled facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Moore Tool runs facilities in New Hampshire and New York. 

To date, Moore Tool has produced more than 6,000 jig borers and 8,000 jig grinders – most of which are still in use today. As an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) certified manufacturer, Moore Tool exports 60% of their sales to customers across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, India, and the Middle East, including to companies like Canon, Samsung, Victorinox, GoPro, Inc., UTC Aerospace, and Sikorsky. Moore Tool also partners with the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Housatonic Community College to provide input and internships to students. In 2015, Moore Tool was inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame. 

“Connecticut manufacturers thrive when they can sell their products to people around the world. With nearly two-thirds of their business devoted to exports, Moore Tool is showing us how it’s done,” said Murphy. “But dated and sometimes arbitrary rules often get in the way of these make-or-break global sales, ultimately hurting Connecticut companies and costing Connecticut jobs. I’m proud that Moore Tool recently earned their ITAR certification – it will enable them to compete with foreign competitors and put them in a better position to gain new customers overseas. I will keep fighting to fix our cumbersome export laws to make it easier for Moore Tool and other Connecticut manufacturers to conduct valuable business abroad.”

Newman Marsilius IV, Vice President and Managing Director of Moore Tool, said, “Moore Tool leads the markets we participate in due to our highly skilled and trained employees. They are the reason the Company has been successful.  We are pleased to see our state government making the much needed investments into manufacturing education. This will greatly help train the next generation workforce."

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.