NH’s ‘Optics Valley’
Precision optics is likely one of the biggest manufacturing sectors in New Hampshire that most Granite Staters have never heard of.
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Gabriella Parisse has been named the first female CEO of Velcro Companies, the Manchester-based developer and manufacturer of fastening solutions.
Parisse, who will take over as CEO on Nov. 1, succeeds Jeff Malcolm, who has announced his retirement but will remain a member of the company’s board of directors. Until then, she will serve as Velcro’s president.
Parisse, who has more than 30 years of international experience, spending 26 years with Johnson & Johnson where she served in a variety of global senior leadership roles. She joined Velcro in October 2018, most recently serving as chief growth officer.
“Gabriella has a track record of success and brings extensive global experience across commercial, marketing and innovation in consumer goods and B2B,” said Malcolm. “She is the right person to lead Velcro Companies.”
In addition, the company promoted three employees to executive leadership team roles. They are:
Precision optics is likely one of the biggest manufacturing sectors in New Hampshire that most Granite Staters have never heard of.
Hosted by the Granite Outdoor Alliance, an organization set on uniting and advancing the key players in New Hampshire’s outdoor industry, this year’s sold-out Barn Raiser on June 10 reflected the breadth of the outdoor sector, bringing together public officials, business leaders, recreation providers and nonprofit representatives, among other key figures.
Analogic Corp. relocated from Peabody, Mass., to Salem, NH, in January. The privately held company designs and manufactures advanced imaging, detection and power technology for aviation security, health care and industrial markets. Its airport baggage screening systems are deployed in more than 26 countries.
New Hampshire’s outdoor economy is active and evolving, but the systems that support it have not kept pace, according to a new report by the Granite Outdoor Alliance. “Grounded Growth” was culled from three roundtables hosted by industry businesses around the state where 62 stakeholders from business, manufacturing, conservation, workforce and the public sector discussed challenges and opportunities shaping New Hampshire’s outdoor economy.
Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. has raised its starting hourly wage to $25.77, aligning entry-level pay with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator for a single adult with no children in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s growing role in military and security related manufacturing was on display June 3 in Nashua. About 200 people, representing advanced manufacturing interests both in the state and regionally, registered for the Northeast National Security Conference that organizer Julie Demers said goes “beyond traditional defense that people would think of.”
Alene Candles, a full-service contract manufacturer of custom-designed fragranced candles and home fragrance products, is moving its Alene LEADS leadership development program fully in-house, as the company continues to invest in employee growth and workplace culture.
Arsenal Capital Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Velcro Companies from the Cripps Foundation, which owns the privately held British company, a longtime New Hampshire employer. Under the deal announced May 26, the Cripps Foundation will continue as a minority shareholder of the company, which opened its manufacturing center in Manchester nearly 70 years ago.
BAE Systems announced Wednesday a $135 million investment for upgrades to its facilities in Hudson, N.H., and Austin, Texas, to further strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base, the company said.
