Bead Industries’ own CEO, Jill Mayer, recently shared an inspiring conversation with BJ Kito and Sam Barret on the Virtuoso 87:60 podcast, highlighting how a 111-year-old family-owned company continues to push boundaries and redefine what modern manufacturing looks like. In the video, Jill explores how Bead Industries stays true to its rich heritage while embracing … read more
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 … read more
Bead Industries celebrates its 110th anniversary, highlighting its journey from a company that initially manufactured Bead Chain® for light pulls to a diverse multinational corporation. The company emphasizes its commitment to innovation, quality, and community engagement, including scholarships and apprenticeship programs. CEO Jill Mayer expresses gratitude for the longstanding support from customers and employees, reiterating … read more
Jill Mayer, the CEO of Bead Industries, encouraged Quinnipiac graduates to meet every opportunity with courage as the theme of her Commencement address for the School of Business and the School of Computing & Engineering on Saturday, May 13. As a fifth-generation leader, Mayer charted a career path that took her from a biotech company … read more
To celebrate several notable women with careers in manufacturing, the Emmett O’Brien Technical School invited them to speak to more than 30 female students at the school. Schwerdtle Inc. CEO Kathy Saint, Bead Industries CEO Jill Mayer, and Exello Tool CEO Marcy Minnick met with 32 female students in the school’s precision machining technology program. Schwerdtle manufactures tools, dies, stamps, and … read more
When Jill Mayer graduated from high school in 1999, career options felt more limited than what she sees available to today’s 18-year-olds. There was a “stigma,” Mayer said, “that if you don’t get a college degree you’re not going to be able to make good money and have a long career.” But she likes to … read more
The next generation of Connecticut manufacturing leaders are bringing fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt as they navigate the sector’s significant challenges. “It’s being able to see what is coming at you and just react quickly,” says Brittany Isherwood, president of Farmington-based Burke Aerospace. Isherwood was one of three … read more
If your parents or grandparents are part of a multi-generational family business, odds are you’ve been asked more than once if you plan to follow in their footsteps. But according to Family Business Magazine, only 10-30% of family businesses survive the second generation under the same company name and ownership. How can you prepare for … read more
From Made in America with Ari Santiago: Jill Mayer, CEO, is bringing Bead Industries, a 100+ year old company in Milford CT, to new heights. They are updating their marketing, technology, and management systems to empower their people, encourage a younger workforce, and take their company into the future. In this episode, Jill tells wonderful … read more
Connecticut’s largest manufacturing trade organization hosted its 100th annual meeting Thursday. “This is not your grandfather’s annual meeting,” said Executive Director Jamison Scott. For one thing, it was on Zoom, where some 225 participants took part. The group used the occasion Thursday to launch a new brand name and a new slogan: Manufacture CT … read more