Plainfield, Conn.-based Westminster Tool Inc., according to Marketing Manager Hannah Coombs Belmont, cultivates "an environment of curiosity and unity, where everyone can be the best version of their authentic selves."
The custom injection mold builder for plastics and medical manufacturing was founded in 1997 by Ray Coombs Jr. It was featured in Plastics News' Best Places to Work special report in 2023, Hillary Thomas was honored in PN's Rising Stars list in 2021, and Thomas and Victoria Rooke were featured on the Women Breaking the Mold list in 2023.
Despite the accolades, Coombs Belmont said the company still deals with misconceptions about working in the industry.
"Lack of interest in joining the manufacturing workforce is largely due, in our experience, to negative perceptions on manufacturing companies in our region. These include ideas that manufacturing careers are dirty, opportunistic and offer little advancement for minorities," she said.
Another revelation regarding diversity in the workplace involves the "shocking lack of access to manufacturing technology and hands-on learning in the underfunded schools in our region, [which] are largely made up of minorities with limited opportunities."
"Without proper access to technology or opportunities to build STEM skills, these demographics will continue to be underrepresented in manufacturing careers," Coombs Belmont said. "Westminster Tool is working very hard to combat these obstacles."
To tackle these hurdles, Westminster Tool is developing strategies involving career fairs, high school student engagement and targeted career awareness campaigns.
"For STEM education, Westminster Tool has been recognized for its initiatives by having employees invited to join critical workforce associations and decision-making groups committed to diversity. This includes Coombs Belmont joining the CT Manufacturing Innovation Fund, a governor-appointed board position that votes on manufacturing funding across the state. It also includes the company's active involvement in local workforce boards including EAMA RSP and EWIB," the company said.
The Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance Regional Sector Partnership (EAMA RSP) works to advance the strategic priorities of manufacturers in Eastern Connecticut. The Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) is a nonprofit organization that oversees a network of workforce-related programs, including recruiting services and worker training.
Westminster Tool is also a manufacturing partner with EastConn, a nonprofit educational service center, and a program supporter of ReadyCT, which advances academic excellence and career-connected learning with a focus on low-income and minority students. Other outreach programs include a board member of the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, board member of the Connecticut State Community College (Quinebaug Valley and Three Rivers) advisory panel, and corporate sponsor of MakerspaceCT with the Moosup and Shepherd Hill elementary schools.
"Part of Westminster Tool's efforts to grow diversity in the industry is through supporting youth programs in the local community, in hopes to attract the next generation of manufacturers. This includes funding for our local Makerspace program [and] teaching STEM skills in the local elementary schools, including projects focused on design, troubleshooting and quality," it said. "Another STEM youth program funded by Westminster Tool is SECTR, Southeastern Connecticut Robotics group, a nonprofit aimed at providing underprivileged youth access to robotics competitions and automation technology, with students from ages 8-14."