KrellTech, founded back in 1995, introduced the industry’s first portable fiber optic connector polisher with single-mode performance, providing installers and contractors the ability to field terminate single-mode connectors.
This was the first in a line of innovative polishing and inspection solutions that have transformed manufacturing lines from single-function machines to workcell systems.
And it was just the first time KrellTech, based in Neptune, was ahead of the curve.
Throughout its three-decade history, the company has continued to develop advanced polishing equipment that streamlines the entire termination and production process for a multitude of optical applications in fields ranging from telecom to medical, sensing to avionics.
It’s part of the reason why KrellTech was honored Friday as the Innovator of the Year at ‘Made in New Jersey,’ the Manufacturing Day event sponsored by the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program.
The event, which drew nearly 1,000 at iPlay America in Freehold, celebrated the larger-than-most-realize manufacturing sector in New Jersey.
Five companies earned special recognition:
Manufacturer of the Year (Small): Lobster Life Systems (Lodi)
Manufacturer of the Year (Medium): UTRS Advanced Manufacturing (Marlton)
Manufacturer of the Year (Large): Legrand, Middle Atlantic (Fairfield)
Leaders in Life Sciences: Geared Power BioGuard (Wayne)
Innovator of the Year: KrellTech (Neptune)
Cari August, a manager at Lightera (Somerset), was honored with the Rising Star award.
In addition to the companies, a number of individuals whose efforts have benefited the manufacturing industry were honored by being named to the ‘MADE in NJ’ honor roll.
The honorees:
- Jim Hannan, partner, Withum
- Chris Emigholz, chief government affairs officer, NJBIA
- Kelly Broznya, state director/CEO NJSBDC hosted at Rutgers Business School
- Tom Bergeron, owner/editor, BINJE
- Thomas J. Williams, resource manager, NIST Manufacturing Extension Program
- Mark Schmit, division chief, NIST Manufacturing Extension Program
