Meet the Hartford Business Journal’s 2015 Connecticut Family Business Awards winners.
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The term family is typically defined as people who are related by blood or marriage, but that definition is much broader to many of the companies featured in this year's Connecticut Family Business Awards.
In fact, most of the successful family businesses we talked to rely on an extended family of employees who aren't related to the company's founders or current management, but who have developed a loyalty to the business because of the family values espoused from one generation of leadership to the next.
For the 2015 Connecticut Family Business Awards, we highlight 26 of the best and finest family businesses in the state, including what sets them apart from the competition, how they stay ahead in the marketplace, and how they remain true to their founding principles in a rapidly-evolving world.
For these companies, the key to long-term success is treating everyone like family including employees and customers.
The Connecticut Family Business Awards honor companies that had particularly strong successes over the last 12 months: completing expansions, growing in the marketplace, fulfilling major projects, and breaking new ground in the local and state business community.
Yet, as they find success, these companies stay rooted in their traditions, even if that means changing with the times. Please join Hartford Business Journal in congratulating this year's winners, who were honored at an Oct. 14 gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. And remember, we'll be back next year with a new crop of winners, so please nominate any worthy companies.
Greg Bordonaro Editor
Fewer than 25 full-time employees
1st Place: Edo Sushi Express, Oakville
View the Edo Sushi Express VIDEO
2nd Place: International Institute of Cosmetology, Wethersfield
3rd Place: Fenn-Woode Apartments, Newington
Finalist: Capt. John's Sport Fishing Center Inc., Waterford
Finalist: DiFiore Ravioli Shop, Hartford
Finalist: The Garden Barn Nursery Inc., Vernon
Finalist: Precision X-Ray Inc., North Branford
Finalist: RPM Industries D.B.A. ProMold Plastics, Portland
Finalist: Votto Vines Importing Inc., Hamden
25-75 full-time employees
1st Place: M. Frank Higgins & Co., Newington
View The M.Frank Higgins & Co. VIDEO
2nd Place: C&C Janitorial Supplies, Newington
3rd Place: PDS Engineering & Construction Inc., Bloomfield
Finalist: BioSafe Systems LLC, East Hartford
76-199 full-time employees
1st Place: United Steel Inc., East Hartford
View the United Steel Inc. VIDEO
2nd Place: Kinsley Group, East Granby
3rd Place: Altek Electronics Inc., Torrington
Finalist: Assisted Living Services Inc. & Assisted Living Technologies Inc., Meriden
Finalist: Highland Park Market, Manchester
Finalist: Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, Old Saybrook
200+ full-time employees
1st Place: O&G Industries Inc., Torrington
2nd Place: Gates Automotive Group, North Windham
3rd Place: EBP Supply Solutions, Milford
Finalist: Allied Printing Services Inc., Manchester
Finalist: Arbors of Hop Brook LP, Manchester
Finalist: A/Z Corporation, North Stonington
Finalist: DATTCO Inc., New Britain
Meet this year's judges
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