Caucus Honors Three Massachusetts Manufacturers
Attleboro and Foxboro businesses are among 65 recognized at the 11th annual Making it in Massachusetts awards.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Manufacturing
The Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus presented Making it in Massachusetts awards to The Empire Group of Attleboro, Rust-Oleum of Attleboro, and Farmer Sign of Foxboro. The honors were part of a ceremony at Gillette Stadium recognizing 65 businesses in total.
Why it matters
The awards highlight manufacturers that lawmakers view as leaders in the industry, drawing public attention to the sector's role in the state's economy. Recognition from the caucus, which includes more than 60 legislators, signals ongoing legislative interest in manufacturing.
The caucus recognized 65 businesses at its 11th annual ceremony, which is drawn from a membership of more than 60 legislators. The source does not detail the full selection process or how the 65 honorees compare to the number of eligible manufacturers statewide.
The players
Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
A bipartisan group of more than 60 state legislators focused on supporting the manufacturing industry in Massachusetts.
Rust-Oleum
A manufacturer based in Attleboro that has operated since 1956 and previously earned an EPA Environmental Merit Award.
The Empire Group
A prototyping and low-volume production firm in Attleboro founded in 1999 by Jason Enos.
Farmer Sign
A sign manufacturer based in Foxboro that received a Making it in Massachusetts award.
The details
Lawmakers nominated or selected each business for the award, which recognizes outstanding leadership in manufacturing. The 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 has operated in Attleboro since 1956 and is one of the world's largest refiners of seedlac.
Timeline
The Manufacturing Caucus was formed in August 2014.
Rust-Oleum began operating in Attleboro in 1956.
The Empire Group was founded in 1999.
The 11th annual awards ceremony was held at Gillette Stadium.
Industry Landscape
The Making it in Massachusetts awards, now in their 11th year, extend a legislative effort that began with the caucus's formation in August 2014. The annual recognition of 65 businesses this year continues that effort to spotlight manufacturers that lawmakers see as industry leaders.
For residents in Attleboro and Foxboro, the recognition highlights local employers that supply prototyping, defense, medical technology, and consumer products. The awards themselves do not change pricing, availability, or job conditions at these companies.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like this one give manufacturers public visibility and show that state lawmakers are paying attention to the sector. Readers interested in the industry can follow how these companies grow in the coming years.
Further reading
Explore more on Manufacturing in Massachusetts and the businesses shaping the state's industrial base.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sun Chronicle.
