Toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker announced it will close its last remaining manufacturing plant in New Britain, ending more than 180 years of production in the “Hardware City.”
The company said Thursday the Myrtle Street facility — which produces single-sided tape measures — will shut down due to a structural decline in demand for those products. The closure will impact about 300 workers at the site.
Stanley’s corporate headquarters will remain in New Britain.
“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,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “These products are quickly becoming obsolete in the markets we serve.”
The company said it will support affected employees through the transition, including offering opportunities at other facilities where possible, as well as severance and job placement services for both hourly and salaried workers.
Stanley employs roughly 600 people in New Britain between the manufacturing plant and its headquarters, making it one of the city’s largest employers.
New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision, calling Stanley a foundational part of the city’s identity and economic base.
“For generations, Stanley Works has been part of the fabric of our city, providing good-paying jobs, supporting families and helping New Britain’s proud reputation as the ‘Hardware City,’” Sanchez said.
City officials will work with state agencies, workforce development groups and community organizations to connect displaced workers with training and other resources, Sanchez said.
Historic roots, modern pressures
Stanley Works was founded in New Britain in 1843 and grew into one of the city’s defining industrial employers, at one point employing thousands of machinists across multiple plants.
In 2010, the company merged with Maryland-based Black & Decker, forming Stanley Black & Decker while keeping its combined headquarters in New Britain.
The company has been hit hard in the last year by the Trump administration’s tariff policy, which has seen it move manufacturing out of China, and also hike prices for consumers.
In the fourth quarter, the company saw a 7% decline in sales volume, and its revenues fell short of analysts’ expectations.
Stanley is in the midst of a multi-year turnaround effort aimed at shoring up its profitability. As of last year, cost-cutting initiatives had seen it shave $2 billion from its expenses, and had included plant closure in South Carolina and Texas.
New CEO Chris Nelson, who took over the helm at Stanley in October of last year, has also been readjusting the company’s portfolio. In December the company announced the sale of its Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing business (CAM) to Howmet Aerospace for $1.8 billion in cash.
As of Jan. 3, 2026, Stanley employed approximately 43,500 people across 59 countries, including about 35% in the United States, according to its most recent annual report. The workforce consists of roughly two-thirds hourly employees — primarily in manufacturing and distribution — and one-third salaried staff.
That total is down from about 48,500 employees in 60 countries at the end of 2024, reflecting ongoing restructuring and cost-cutting efforts.
Stanley Black & Decker owns or leases major manufacturing, distribution and sales facilities in 18 states and 21 countries. It leases its corporate headquarters in New Britain and operates 108 facilities globally that exceed 100,000 square feet.
The state Department of Labor said its Rapid Response Unit is working with Stanley Black & Decker to assist impacted manufacturing workers. The unit provides job and career counseling, assists with job search and re-training and provides additional resources to help workers recover from a layoff.
