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."