INNOVATION AT WORK: HISTORY OF ENSIGN-BICKFORD COMPANY

As a means of connecting the present and future through the past, a history of the Ensign-Bickford Company will be presented by Mr. Brendan Walsh, President and CEO of Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense.  Ensign-Bickford has been a workplace of technology and innovation, not only in manufacturing, but also in community development, since their establishment in Simsbury in 1836.  A pioneer in developing safety fuses for use in mining and the military, Ensign-Bickford now has subsidiaries that develop equipment for the aeronautics and defense industries, as well as being technology-based leaders in the palatability of pet food and of developing immunoassays for the detection of genetically modified organisms. Humanitarianism has been a part of Ensign-Bickford since its inception.  Neighborhoods in the Town of Simsbury were created by the company ensuring affordable, adequate housing for their employees in close proximity to work. Simsbury infrastructure was also strengthened as Ensign-Bickford built fire houses to protect their place of business and the residences and families of their staff.  It is vitally important to learn from the past to make informed decisions for the future.  Ensign-Bickford is a significant example of technology, innovation and human interest intertwined over the course of 175 years. Preregistration requested at 860-658-7663 or www.simsburylibrary.info. Free. This program is part of the Innovators' Workshop @ the Simsbury Public Library.