Massachusetts Manufacturers Win State Recognition
Operators across the state's manufacturing sector gain public visibility as lawmakers spotlight leadership in the industry.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Manufacturing
Massachusetts lawmakers honored 65 businesses, including The Empire Group of Attleboro, Rust-Oleum of Attleboro and Farmer Sign of Foxboro, with Making it in Massachusetts awards at the 11th annual ceremony at Gillette Stadium. The Legislative Manufacturing Caucus selected each recipient, and the awards recognize leadership in the state's manufacturing sector.
Why it matters
The awards spotlight manufacturers across Massachusetts, giving operators a public benchmark for leadership in the industry. The caucus, with more than 60 legislators, is using the recognition to keep manufacturing visible in state policy discussions.
The caucus honored 65 businesses at its 11th annual ceremony, selected by a group of more than 60 legislators. Rust-Oleum has operated in Attleboro since 1956, and Empire Group has been a manufacturing partner for more than 20 years.
The players
Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
A bipartisan group of more than 60 state legislators focused on manufacturing policy and recognition, co-chaired by Jeffrey N. Roy.
Rust-Oleum
A longtime Attleboro manufacturer and one of the world's largest refiners of seedlac, operating in the coatings market.
The Empire Group
An Attleboro prototyping and low-volume production firm founded in 1999 by Jason Enos, serving defense, aerospace and medical technology customers.
Farmer Sign
A Foxboro sign manufacturer recognized among the 65 businesses honored by the caucus this year.
The details
Lawmakers nominated or selected each business, and the caucus presented the awards at a ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Empire Group, founded in 1999 by Jason Enos, specializes in prototyping and low-volume production for defense, aerospace, medical technology and advanced hardware industries. Rust-Oleum is one of the world's largest refiners of seedlac and previously earned an EPA Environmental Merit Award.
Timeline
Rust-Oleum began operating in Attleboro in 1956.
Empire Group was founded in 1999.
The Manufacturing Caucus was formed in August 2014.
The 11th annual awards ceremony was held at Gillette Stadium on November 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
The Manufacturing Caucus, formed in August 2014, has now run its recognition program for 11 annual ceremonies. The recognized firms span legacy coatings production and defense-oriented prototyping, reflecting the mix of manufacturing types operating across Massachusetts.
Operators in Massachusetts manufacturing can use caucus recognition as a signal of where state lawmakers are directing attention in the sector. Firms that compete in prototyping, low-volume production or specialty coatings should track which operators receive future honors.
The takeaway
Watch for the caucus's next recognition cycle as a read on which manufacturing segments the Legislature is prioritizing. Operators seeking state visibility can track the caucus's announcements to identify nomination windows and recognition criteria.
Further reading
For more on the sector, see the Manufacturing coverage on We are Main Street.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sun Chronicle.
