Bead Industries Awarded 2024 Multi-Generational Family Enterprise from UVM School of Business

Bead Industries, Inc. received the 2024 Multi-generational Family Enterprise on Friday, September 27 at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business. This was the 13th edition of the Vermont Legacy & Family Enterprise Awards, a ceremony which celebrates enterprises that excel in their innovative practices, corporate governance, and contributions to their communities and industries.

“Each winner celebrated this year demonstrates an exceptional commitment to sustainability and community values,” said Dr. Dita Sharma, University Distinguished Professor and the Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business.

Bead’s award was presented by Molly Heaney of JM Huber Corp, one of the award judges and a previous award recipient, who shared an overview of Bead’s rich history. In early 1910, Calvin Bryant developed the first electric light pull. He and his son Gerald formed the Bead Chain Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1914. From developing “dog tag” chains for the US and Canadian armed forces to being at the forefront of the development of fluorescent lighting, today, Bead Industries is comprised of two divisions: Bead Electronics, which manufactures end-to-end, wire, and tubular connector pins for the automotive, medical, communications, and lighting industries – and McGuire Manufacturing Co, a producer of high-end plumbing fixture trim.

Fifth-generation family members Jill Mayer and Sylvia Pessin accepted the award on behalf of Bead. Mayer, Bead’s CEO, has built upon the family legacy by transforming the organizational culture through innovation, shared purpose, and accountability.

To read the full article on UVM’s website, please visit http://www.uvm.edu/news.