Greg Shine of Shine Wire Products, second from right, at the 3rd annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony at the State House.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Legislature's Manufacturing Caucus recently named Shine Wire a Massachusetts Manufacturer of the Year.
Company President Greg Shine said Shine Wire was one of 50 companies in the state to receive the award last month at the State House.
The electronic contract manufacturer specializes in cable assemblies, wire harnessing, and electro-mechanical assemblies for use in testing, engineering, medical, aeronautics, military and Homeland Security.
"It is a humbling award," Shine said. "It was based on what we have done over the years here in Berkshire County and how we have supported manufacturing, how we have employed people, and have given back to the community."
This was the third award ceremony to be held and state Rep. John Barrett III nominated Shine Wire.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Karen Spilka, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash spoke at the event. The 4-year-old Manufacturing Caucus includes more than 60 legislators with the goal of increasing competitiveness in manufacturing by providing legislative support. The caucus is also focused on expanding opportunities in vocational high schools and community colleges.
Shine said he accepted the award on behalf of current employees and past employees whom the business' solid foundation was built on.
"I think it speaks volumes of the folks that started with the company in 1984 that took a risk and even changed career paths," he said. "They came into a business that really only had a phone and paper clip and they believed in it and some of those folks are still with us today, so it is really dedicated to the folks of the past and also our current staff."
Shine said his father founded the company in 1984 after Sprague Electric closed to give people the opportunity to keep working in the area.
"The foundation of the business was founded basically on love and that is a counterculture word to use in business today but when Sprague Electric closed in 1984, my dad … wanted to start a business in the area to keep people working," he said. "The business was built on giving people the opportunity to work and I think our focus on service leadership and putting people first has given us a real strong foundation to whether all of the storms over the last 35 years."
Shine said the business has changed over the years. It moved from North Adams to a 30,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the Adams Corporate Park. He said over the years they have continued to invest in new equipment and employees.
Shine said the future of Shine Wire is bright with a strong team in place to carry the company another 35 years.
"We hope to continue to grow in a controlled manner in which we currently do now and there is a lot of opportunities here for current employees as well as those who want to join the company," he said. "The future is really up those who will one day take over the company whether that be family members or those who are already with us."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Colegrove Park Recognized as Top 10 School Statewide in Attendance
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Superintendent Barbara Malkas, left, Colegrove Principal Amy Meehan, Mayor Jennifer Macksey and Dean of Students Jonathan Slocum pose with the Celtics basketball award on Friday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year.
Tim Connor, assistant director for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's west and central district, arrived with a gold basketball signed by the champion team to reward the students for their achievement.
"An award like this doesn't come easy. It takes a lot of work from all of you, the students, the parents, and especially Ms. Meehan and her wonderful staff, so a big round of applause," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, after leading the assembly in the gym to chants of "Colegrove rocks!" "I am so proud of this school and the community that all of you have built. So everyone should be really excited about today, and this is an excellent way to start your school."
Superintendent Barbara Malkas asked last year's fifth-graders at Colegrove to join her at the front of the gym for a special applause.
"When we track attendance of all the students in the whole district, these students have the highest attendance rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the entire district," Malkas said. "While all Colegrove students have been recognized as attendance all-stars, these students led the way in being attendance all-stars, so let's give them one more round of applause."
Colegrove switched this year to house Grades 3 to 6, so some of the younger students who helped earn the award are now at Brayton Elementary. However, all three elementary schools open last year saw improvement in attendance.
Schools statewide have been working to reduce chronic absenteeism — the percentage of students missing 10 percent of the school year, or 18 days — which peaked during the pandemic.
Last week, the nonprofit held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 900-square-foot wooden structure with a full foundation and a composting toilet. The excavation process began this week, and completion is expected in 2026.
click for more
The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year. click for more