Seconn News

May 2, 2008 – Governor Rell Commends Waterford Businessman on Growth, National Recognition

?Governor M. Jodi Rell today commended Robert Marelli Jr., founder and president of Seconn Fabrication, for his manufacturing success in Southeastern Connecticut. Among the many honors presented to Marelli, his company was recently named a finalist for the Small Business of the Year award presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Mr. Marelli is a shining example of what Connecticut’s entrepreneurs can accomplish if only given the opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Rell. “Started in a small, rented warehouse with five people in 2003, Seconn now employs 77 people and enjoys $10 million in annual sales. Stories like this prove that with creativity, courage and determination manufacturing start-ups – and any other business venture – can succeed in Connecticut.”

Seconn Fabrication did not claim the top national honor, which was awarded last week in Washington, D.C. However, just being one of seven finalists from across the country is noteworthy, Governor Rell said.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce evaluates companies on their financial performance and business history; staff training and motivation; community involvement; costumer service; and business plan or strategy for growth.

Marelli’s strategy for growth is a true success story that began in 2003 when he left a family owned fabrication shop to establish his own. With a $250,000 loan from his father-in-law, Marelli rented a 5,000-square-foot building, bought a used TRUMPF laser and other equipment and got to work bending, cutting and welding aluminum, steel and stainless steel products.

Now housed in a 35,000-square-foot, high-tech facility, Seconn is a top precision sheet metal fabricator, specializing in design, engineering, test development, prototyping and custom manufacturing. Not content to rest on its laurels, the company recently broke ground on a 24,000-square-foot expansion totaling more than $5 million.

“Seconn’s success is truly inspiring,” said Joan McDonald, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “And that’s why DECD is so proud to be supporting Seconn’s expansion project. DECD will assist with a $462,448 loan for the purchase of machinery and equipment.”

The expansion will make space for an additional powder coating line, an automated laser cutting cell, and a prototyping department. Also, Seconn will add 15 positions within the next three years.

What this mean to Marelli, who credit his employees and their dedication to efficiency and customer satisfaction for his success?

“In this changing economy, it’s not ‘business as usual,’” Marelli said. “We are a thriving enterprise because early on we recognized that ‘business as usual’ would never cut it. At Seconn every member of our team, believes in doing whatever it takes – from implementing lean operations and investing in the latest technology – to assure our customers the best production times in the industry.

“With every order we process and every product we ship, we know we’re doing whatever it takes to strengthen our economy,” he said. “We started in Connecticut and now we’re thriving here. I strongly encourage my fellow entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut to take advantage of every resource the state has to offer because I know others can be as successful.”

The accolades continue for Seconn and Marelli, who was named the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s Entrepreneur of the Year for 2007. The company also won a U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Award in February for its entrepreneurial successes, and was named a 2008 Industry Award winner by The Fabricator magazine that same month.