Mass layoffs expected at Stanley Black & Decker New Britain manufacturing plant, state rep confirms

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NEW BRITAIN, CT (WFSB) - Stanley Black & Decker is cutting roughly 300 jobs and closing a tape measure manufacturing facility in New Britain, according to a state representative in the city.

State Rep. Dave DeFronzo said the decision was driven by “economic uncertainties” in the country.

“As a result of a structural decline in demand for single-sided tape measures, we have decided to close our facility in New Britain that predominantly makes these products. These products are quickly becoming obsolete in the markets we serve,” said Debora Raymond, vice president, External Communications, Stanley Black & Decker.

Stanley Black & Decker reported 600 employees in New Britain in 2024. A closure of the facility would eliminate approximately half of that workforce.

“It’s a sad day for New Britain,” DeFronzo said. “Stanley has a long history here, and slowly but surely it’s presence has been eroded. I think if you talk to most people in the city, they have family or a grandparent that worked at Stanley. They provided good jobs for a lot of people at quality wages, so it’s a sad day.”

Alfred Mayo, a Vietnam War veteran who has lived in New Britain for nearly 40 years, said he has watched Stanley grow from a traditional hardware manufacturer into a global company while keeping its headquarters in the city.

“They’ve been here. They’re part of New Britain. It was built here, and we depend on them to stay,” Mayo said. “It’d be a pain if they leave. Any loss of any jobs just continues to hurt our city.”

The company said affected employees may be offered positions at other company facilities.

“We are focused on supporting impacted employees through this transition, including providing options for employment at other facilities, severance, and job placement support services for both salaried and hourly employees,” Raymond said.

No closing date for the Myrtle Street facility has been announced. Stanley Black & Decker’s world headquarters, located a few miles away in New Britain, will remain open.

New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez had not yet commented on the announcement.

Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart released a statement on the closure.

“How many times are we going to see this movie? And how many times are we going to run through the litany of reasons these legacy employers - who have been part of our identity as Nutmeggers - are choosing to leave Connecticut. There’s only so long any enterprise can exist with the highest cost of living, the highest cost of energy, the highest cost of doing business, and utter hostility from the state capitol before they have to make the heartbreaking decision to leave or close their doors. For 12 years I had a great relationship with the leaders and employees of Stanley - they are the “hardware” in the Hardware City. This is a very sad day for New Britain. My fear is that this is actually part of Lamont’s plan to solve the housing crisis: he said it was as simple as “supply and demand.” I thought he meant increasing housing stock, but if he runs enough employers out of Connecticut, there goes the demand.”
Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart

Gov. Ned Lamont also released a statement.

Stanley Black & Decker has been based in New Britain since 1843.