Newtown Lawmakers, CT Business Org Stop at Curtis Packaging

NEWTOWN- State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello recently had the pleasure of meeting-up with members of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and state leadership to participate in CBIA’s annual “Business Bus Tour” at Sandy Hook’s very own of Curtis Packaging Corporation, for a tour of their Newtown manufacturing facility, not far from Sandy Hook Center.  Curtis is a true Connecticut, and American success story that always “wows” those who learn about, see, and get to appreciate their historic, yet culturally innovative,” state of the art”, 100% sustainable business operations.

Curtis has quietly been a fixture in, and become an industry leader at, its current Sandy Hook location for 180-years - since 1845 – evolving and advancing to the top of the packaging industry by closely partnering with leading-brand customers, suppliers, and a dedicated crew of “home grown” employee talent.  Theirs’ is a specialized business that requires 21st-Century technical skills and pride in contributing to the creation of innovative, top-quality packaging that supports the image and consumer-impression of many iconic brands like Titleist, Lindt & Ghirardelli Chocolates and Estee Lauder, employing more than 100 talented, dedicated associates at their Sandy Hook location, many of whom have grown with the company for 25-years or more, including young folks who began with the support of local school-districts’, area, and state investments in internship and co-operative workforce development programs.  Investing in people, and participation in workforce development have helped make the Curtis name one that’s synonymous with modern “Premium-Brand Custom Packaging & Folding Carton Solutions” for many of the luxury brands we, and people around the world turn to as “Products of Choice”.

After the tour, Rep Bolinsky said, “I love visiting and advocating with and for Curtis!  It’s so uplifting, and I can’t hear, or say enough about how they’re advancing innovation in packaging for their diverse world of leading-brand customers.  Many companies can run their businesses full-out but, with Curtis, they run at the speed of light on the energy and passion of great people.  Don Droppo Jr., Curtis’ second-generation President & CEO, Kerry Brown, their Operations VP, and the entire Curtis leadership team have built an amazing culture of success and forward-thinking… right here, under our noses in Sandy Hook!  I appreciate their being recognized, and getting the well-deserved attention of CBIA, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, and Connecticut Innovations."  

“Today’s manufacturing is not like the old days where maybe it was viewed as so-called dirty work; this facility has advanced technology helping the employees make precision products. This is a great career option for young people interested in STEM and working with their hands,” said Rep. Foncello. "Preparing students for careers with companies that have employee longevity will go a long way toward setting them on a path toward financial stability.”

More about Curtis’ culture: In 2003, Curtis Packaging in Sandy Hook, CT became the first carbon-neutral packaging company in North America. Their facility is 100-percent powered by renewable energy, with solar generating about 25-percent. It was not the first time.  When the company was founded nearly 200 years ago it was powered by a water wheel, running on the adjacent Pootatuck River.

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