HARTFORD-U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Monday that Industrial Heater Corporation in Cheshire is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Founded in 1921 and employing 47 people out of a 35,000 square-foot facility, Industrial Heater specializes in the manufacturing of process heating elements, mostly band heaters used in injection molding. The company does work for government contractors and services plastics, health care, aerospace, wire and cable industries. Industrial Heater also contract manufactures custom sheet metal components for a variety of applications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Industrial Heater stepped up in a major way. Since March, the manufacturing company has supplied over 50,000 nose clips for critical face masks for frontline workers at the U.S. Coast Guard, Yale New Haven Hospital, and multiple local police, fire, and EMS departments throughout Connecticut. Industrial Heater is also actively working to set up a domestic manufacturing line of personal protective equipment (PPE) utilizing the domestic supply chain. The company hopes to have it up and running by October.

“Manufacturing is central to the story of our state and, Industrial Heater has been a part of that long history for almost 100 years,” said Murphy. “When COVID-19 hit, Industrial Heater stepped up to produce and supply critical PPE for frontline health care workers and first responders across our state. And their plans to use the domestic supply chain to continue production on critical PPE will make sure Connecticut has access to protective equipment going forward. I'm proud to recognize the team at Industrial Heater for their forward thinking and dedication to our state.”

“The COVID-19 Pandemic has shown us how important manufacturing is in the State of Connecticut. If we rely on other countries for PPE we are vulnerable to supply shortages. We are proud to be a part of the Supply Chain for Medical Devices and PPE and will continue to find additional ways to support our frontline workers,” said Tom McGwire of Industrial Heating Corp.

Industrial Heater is also active in promoting Workforce Development throughout Connecticut. Each year the company host facility tours on Manufacturing Day and works with Cheshire High School in their Job Shadow Program and Career Days.

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities. Senator 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.

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