Medical manufacturing continues its strong growth in Branford - by Terence Elton

Terence Elton, Town of Branford

Branford is home to a number of thriving business sectors, including medical manufacturing, engineering, and bioscience.  A good example of continued growth is seen in Branford’s medical manufacturing, as it further expands with the arrival of Defibtech, a leader in design and manufacturing of automated external defibrillators. 

Established in 1999, the company is currently fitting out 18,000 s/f on Commercial St. with new machinery and equipment in order to accommodate its growth and larger workforce.  Its exports are increasing, as the company recently opened sales offices in Scandinavia, Iceland and the Baltic countries, joining those already in 50 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Defibtech joins other Branford companies in the medical device field, including CASMED, Ivy Biomedical, PerkinElmer, and others.  In becoming part of Branford’s business community, Defibtech will enjoy a low tax rate, a convenient I-95 location, access to a skilled workforce, and a healthy, business-friendly climate in which to grow. 

In similar fashion, Germany-based Bausch+Ströbel has secured zoning approvals, completed its site acquisition near Exit 55, and has design plans underway for their new 59,000 s/f North American headquarters to meet the increasing demand for their pharmaceutical packaging products. 

Meanwhile, American Polyfilm Inc. is completing the transition to their new 40,000 s/f state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.  Located on Rte. 1 near Exit 56, API will be a model for advanced manufacturing.  And like Defibtech, Differential Pressure and others who are expanding their export operations, API finds its Branford location convenient for transporting freight by truck, rail or ship. 

Other projects nearing complete include soon-to-be East Main St. neighbors Artis Senior Living with its new 60,000 s/f, 64-bed memory care facility, and the Army Corps’ new 37,000 s/f training facility.   These and other projects are a strong sign that Branford is widely held to be a sound investment.  It reinforces what manufacturers, biotech R&D and others have discovered about the town, that, in addition to being a gateway to New England and a portal to New York, Branford: 

• Has the lowest taxes on the shoreline for full service towns, and a coveted triple-A bond rating;

•  Is strategically located – less than 10 miles to New Haven and Yale University, 40 miles to Hartford, 50 miles to Stamford, 75 miles to Providence, 90 miles to Manhattan, and just over two hours to Boston;

•  Has multiple transit outlets – four points of access onto I-95 and only minutes to I-91 – daily commuter rail to New Haven & Yale connecting to Metro North’s service to Stamford / NYC and with Amtrak to Providence and Boston – numerous air carriers from Tweed-New Haven, Bradley International [Hartford], TF Green [Providence], LaGuardia and JFK [New York];   

• Has a highly educated and skilled workforce with nearly half of its residents holding a bachelor’s degree or more; 

• Is only minutes away from a dynamic cluster of higher learning and research, led by Yale, Quinnipiac University, and the University of New Haven; 

• Has access to world class healthcare and medical services at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Smilow Cancer Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare, and Quinnipiac’s new Netter School of Medicine; 

• Boasts an enviable life-style with boating, fishing, hiking & biking and birding throughout town and along the shoreline; 

• Enjoys expansive cultural opportunities with classical, folk, pop and jazz concerts, museums and galleries, and award-winning stage productions at nearby Yale Rep, Schubert and Long Wharf Theatres; yet,   

• Maintains the comfort and charm of the small New England town that it is.

To discover more about Branford and for assistance in finding a site that meets your needs, go to www.branford-ct.org or email info@branford-ct.gov.

Terence Elton is special projects manager for the Town of Branford, Conn.