WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Monday that Beekley Medical of Bristol is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Beekley was founded in 1934 in West Hartford as a printing and lithographic company. Today, Beekley is a medical device manufacturer of products that help improve communication, productivity, accuracy, and the patient experience. Their products include modality-specific skin markers, biopsy grids, specimen containers, aromatherapy tabs and other patient care devices that are used in CT-Scan, Mammography, MRI, Radiation Oncology, Emergency, Outpatient Surgery, Elder Care, and other clinical settings.

Beekley’s association with the medical industry began in the 1960’s with the introduction of the Kwik-Chart, a widely adapted, hospital charting sheet. In 1974, the company moved to a larger facility in Farmington, and in the early 1980s, the company moved to Bristol, where they introduced the X-SPOT® - the first-ever professional skin marker for diagnostic imaging. Soon after, Beekley introduced the Beekley Skin Marking System for Mammography, a first-of-its-kind concept that uses specifically shaped markers to help physicians identify particular areas of concern and interpret breast imaging. In 2009, Beekley relocated within Bristol to their specially constructed Beekley Growth and Innovation Center, where the manufacturer continues to operate out of today. The company employs 94 people and offers their associates an onsite fitness center, annual health and wellness screenings, profit sharing, and a 401K match, in addition to other benefits.

Beekley is proud of their commitment to innovate new products that match evolving technology and healthcare needs. The Bristol manufacturer is a global company that exports their products to customers in more than 50 countries. They are committed to giving back to their community, and sponsor educational programs, conferences, and advocacy groups for imaging professionals. Beekley donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their mammography SPOT skin markers to organizations fighting breast cancer. Beekley also helped fund the construction of the new Beekley Center for Breast Health and Wellness at Bristol Hospital and the Beekley Imaging Center at UConn Health. The manufacturer participates in local toy and food drives, efforts to support Alzheimer’s research, environmental cleanups, and more.

“Beekley’s products help doctors around the world better serve their patients every single day, and none of it would be possible without the hard work of Beekley’s Connecticut team,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful for Beekley’s nearly 90-year commitment to Connecticut manufacturing, and I’m excited to see what innovative products they bring to market next.”

Ayn S. LaPlant, President and CEO of Beekley Medical, said, “Manufacturing and innovation have been part of Connecticut’s economic DNA from Eli Whitney to Samuel Colt to Stanley to UTC. Beekley Corp., one of the ‘Best Places to Work in CT,’ is enthusiastically committed to continue our state’s long legacy of manufacturing new and novel, high value products. We are proud of the fact that Beekley’s products help save lives – we could outsource our manufacturing to other countries and maybe save a few fleeting pennies, but we would rather manufacture in Connecticut where we know our great workers make perfect product every single time.”  

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,600 manufacturers account for 10% 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 BuyAmerican.gov Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.