American Polyfim Inc. Expansion: A Branford Success Story
Established in 1998 by Branford's Cassella family, American Polyfilm Inc. officially cut the ribbon on the company's state of the art manufacturing headquarters in Branford on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The gleaming, energy-efficient building at 15 Baldwin Drive has been designed and built using Branford-based companies.
Company founder Victor Cassella said expanding into a new, modern facility was needed to increase manufacturing capacity for American Polyfilm's worldwide customer base. The new facility more than doubles manufacturing capacity.
The company's clean industry production facility specializes in made-to-order, blown polyurethane film produced in a range of thicknesses and colors. The products are used in the medical industry, performance textiles, protective and fashion garments, nautical and aviation equipment and products and in food processing equipment, such as conveyor belts.
On Oct. 5, a gathering of state and local officials including Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove, former Branford First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos, Branford State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr. (D, D-12) and Branford State Representatives Lonnie Reed (D, D-102) and Sean Scanlon (D, D-98) toured the new facility, including the production floor. The manufacturing process is clean and quiet.
"There's nothing toxic here," Cassella told Zip06/The Sound. "There's no water run-off; we have closed-loop chilling. We don't pollute anywhere. It's a very clean operation."
The new building overlooks rolling fields and distant hills from the edge of Baldwin Drive, a business-driven cul-de-sac housing several private firms on the east end of town. The Cassella family was committed to remaining in Branford, said Cassella.
"This has been our family's home for two generations. We got our start here and we established close relationships," he said. "Building a 27,500 square-foot building was a big challenge, but our decision proved to be the right one, every step of the way.
The company worked with Town of Branford as well as local suppliers, professionals and businesses in the expansion project. Branford-based Terry Architecture, sited and designed the pre-engineered structure. Branford's Pat Munger Construction Company was the project's general contractor. First Selectman Cosgrove told Zip06/The Sound the expansion is a win-win for American Polyfilm and Branford.
"This is a tremendous business," said Cosgrove. "It was definitely a benefit to the town throughout, and that's something we love to see with new projects, similar to (establishing) Stony Creek Brewery – using a lot of local businesses to try to benefit the local economy, and keeping those dollars within Branford. It's also great to have manufacturing here. People have the perception that manufacturing is disappearing. There certainly has been a reduction, but it's great to see that there are companies that are staying right here in Branford."
Other local firms involved in the expansion project include financing from Guilford Savings Bank (together with the U.S. Small Business Administration and The Community Investment Corporation) and installations by Controlled Air, Massey Glass and Finelli Electric. American Polyfilm is also retaining its former leased location on Route 1 in Branford, as a back-up site to accommodate extra work, said Cassella. The company recently grew from 13 employees to 22.
