TORRINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that Colonial Bronze Inc. – a third-generation, family-owned manufacturer based in Torrington – is this week’s “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.” Founded in 1927, Colonial Bronze manufactures cabinet and architectural hardware, such as knobs, pulls, rods, hinges, and plates. The company operates out of a 45,000 square foot facility where their 48 employees hand-make American-made products from start to finish. 

Since 2012, Colonial Bronze has seen double digit growth rates and added 15 new jobs. With the help of Connecticut’s Small Business Express Program, the manufacturer recently invested more than $220,000 to develop a new product line and hire three additional employees. Over the last six years, Colonial Bronze has won various ‘Innovative Decorative Hardware Product of the Year’ awards. Today, the manufacturer looks forward to seeing continued growth with the launch of their new antimicrobial copper hardware line, which they expect will play a significant role in preventing infections at places like hospitals.

Murphy has worked with Colonial Bronze since he learned that the Army may have incorrectly applied Buy American laws to the purchase of hardware used for constructing a military base. This type of non-compliance is widespread according to the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General.

Murphy said, “Colonial Bronze products are 100% American-made, but they were completely overlooked when the Army was searching for new bronze door knobs several years ago. Instead, the Army got a Buy American waiver for ‘non-availability’ and bought the knobs from a foreign company. This is ridiculous. Buy American laws exist for a reason, and the U.S. government should put companies like Colonial Bronze first. I won’t stop fighting until the U.S. government supports U.S. companies like Colonial Bronze that are dedicated to American companies and American workers.”

Jamie Gregg, CEO of Colonial Bronze Inc., said, “Manufacturing is challenging these days, but we have seen tremendous respect and support for what we do, from Senator Murphy in particular. We are very proud to be one of the only – if not the only – manufacturer of brass architectural hardware in the United States, and it is the efforts of concerned leaders like Chris Murphy that help level the playing field for American manufacturers, keeping us competitive against economies with lower corporate citizenship standards. His efforts are genuine and truly appreciated by every worker here at Colonial.”

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.