Rep. Case tours Borgeson, promotes local small business

TORRINGTON – State Rep. Jay Case (R-63) on Monday toured Borgeson Universal Company, a local manufacturer focused on vehicle steering components, to promote the small, family-owned business and discuss state government’s role in ensuring businesses like it can succeed.

The tour, led by Borgeson owner and Torrington native Gerry Zordan, allowed Rep. Case to witness firsthand the importance of the business and its 50,000 sq. foot facility on Technology Park Drive. With its 36 full-time employees, Borgeson is celebrating 100 years of Torrington-made products, a survivor of both the Great Depression and the recent recession that stymied manufacturers throughout Connecticut.

“Borgeson is a mainstay in Torrington,” Rep. Case said. “I’m grateful Gerry, along with his family and his team, was willing to show me around the facility. Businesses like Borgeson that make Connecticut a manufacturing and industrial powerhouse.

“State government needs to make sure it’s encouraging growth, not hurting it, by being mindful of hazardous regulations and anti-business tax policies,” Rep. Case added.

Rep. Case and Zordan discussed the need for a skilled workforce and a push toward trade schools and apprenticeship programs, which help train a future generation of workers. The current workforce selection is slim, but Zordan uses some of the best in his trade.

“It was a great visit,” Rep. Case said. “I’m glad we could make it happen.”