To commemorate its 100-year anniversary, Bead Electronics has established The Bryant Family Scholarship Fund at Housatonic Community College to benefit its Manufacturing and Engineering programs.

The scholarship establishes a $25,000 endowed gift to help defray student costs for tuition, fees, and books at Housatonic Community College. “We wanted to do our part to assist in the educational development and advancement of local talent in the field of manufacturing. Further, we hope students consider a career at Bead or at one of the many other innovative manufacturing companies in Connecticut,” said Ken Bryant, CEO, and fourth-generation family member.

The scholarship is one of many commemorations for Bead this year. In May, the company celebrated with an open house attended by employees and their families, vendors, customers, colleagues, and local dignitaries. Last month saw the release of the centennial book, Bead Industries: Five Generations of Bright Ideas. The publication recounts the rich industrial history of Bead, its leadership, and employees. Of special interest is how the company supported the war effort with both manufactured products for the field and volunteer efforts of the employees at home.

Bead Industries is comprised of two divisions: Bead Chain and Bead Electronics and a wholly-owned subsidiary, McGuire Mfg. Company. Founded in 1914, Bead Industries developed and manufactured Bead Chain® for electric light pulls. Using the same innovative metal-working process, it fabricated products for the electronics market in the mid-1920s.

Read the full press release.

About Bead Electronics

Bead Electronics, is a global manufacturer of electronic connector pins and has been manufacturing in Connecticut for over 100 years. The award-winning company carries over 500 patents and is best known for inventing its manufacturing process called swaging. This process is a high-speed, virtually scrap-less, cold-forming process capable of producing a wide size range of metal electronic components that are consistent and cost-effective. The family-owned business is led by its fifth generation. Click here to speak to a connector pin specialist today.