They may call it a silver anniversary, but copper was the real key ingredient in keeping this Willington firm growing for 25 years.
Cable Technology Inc., which earlier this month celebrated a quarter century in business, employs about 30 workers in its 40,000-square-foot factory on River Road.
Most consumers never have seen its handiwork, but undoubtedly have used it in some capacity. The low voltage electrical wire made by Cable Technology and sold worldwide through a network of distributors powers a range of devices like computers, boats, planes, slot machines, appliances and many other electrically powered items.
It’s also used in some high tech buildings. UConn’s Harry A. Gampel Pavilion — home to the school’s basketball teams — was wired with cable from Cable Technology. So was The New York Stock Exchange.
The company traces its origin to another local wire maker, American Wire in Willimantic, where Cable Tech founders Michael Carigilia and Carl Beyor first worked together. They soon struck out on their own, launching Communication Cable Inc., a now defunct wire-making firm in Manchester.
There, Beyor and Cariglia plied their trade running a manufacturing firm. Although both were engineers by training, they developed complementary skill sets that came in handy for making and selling wire. Carigilia developed extensive contacts in the business world and was the mover and shaker in terms of driving sales. Beyor was a mechanical savant who could fuse his ability to run a shop floor smoothly with an uncanny sense to spot trends in the copper market.
Several years after leaving Communication Cable, the two partnered to launch Cable Technology in 1982. It’s grown successfully ever since. And the reigns are being handed over to the founders’ sons — Greg Carigilia and Brian Beyor — who now help run the business day to day.
Still, despite 25 years in business, there are many people in the area who are confused about what the firm does, Greg Cariglia said.
“We still get the calls from TV viewers who say ‘You were supposed to be here an hour ago to install my cable and no one showed up,’” he said. “We tell them to call the cable company.”
By no means is Cable Technology the oldest manufacturer in town. It’s not even the oldest on River Road.
Trumbull Recreation Supply has been around for 35 years, although it’s been in Willington for only 15. The first two decades, as the name suggests, were spent in Trumbull.
The company, which employs about seven people in its small facility on River Road, makes some of the devices that you’ve likely encountered if you’ve ever gone camping.
Many of the timers used on campground showers are made by Trumbull. The company also makes dump station equipment for RVs, as well as things you’re likely to see around a campground — bat boxes and dog “pick-up” dispensers which are fitted onto garbage cans.
Kenneth J. St. Onge is managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal.
