Frink: "We're Not a Low Cost, K-Mart Country"

New Britain, CT, August 15, 2006--Area manufacturers got a crash course in global competitiveness Monday at the Institute for Technology and Business Development, according to the New Britain Herald. U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-5th Dist., and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing Al Frink visited Connecticut manufacturers and held roundtable discussions in Waterbury and New Britain. The purpose was to discuss initiatives to help the state's small manufacturers and create jobs. Frink said the biggest barrier to trade was the cost of doing business in the U.S. "We're not a low cost, K-Mart country," he said. "We're Neiman Marcus; we're higher quality and higher value. There's too much emphasis on lowering costs and not enough on raising value." Frink co-founded Fabrica in 1974, a carpet and rug manufacturer, with a $100,000 Small Business Administration loan. The company started with five workers and now employs more than 400 individuals without experiencing major layoffs. In 2000, it was acquired by The Dixie Group. "We were able to compete in a costly state like California because we were innovative and we raised added value," he said. "We did it through quality products and high-supply chain. Brands are huge. China doesn't have a brand. America has a great brand; we've got the most trusting system in the world. China doesn't have to be the culprit; it can be an opportunity." Tom Lorenzetti, director of business development at Central Connecticut State University's ITBD agreed with Frink. "The differential is value," he said. Frink said he detected a community of spirit in New Britain. When he was in sales, he often called on carpet stores in central Connecticut. Bill Carroll, business development coordinator for the city of New Britain, visits 300 employers a year and 150 manufacturers. "What you're seeing here is small manufacturers becoming more innovative, more creative, more productive," Carroll told Frink. "They're going above and beyond what they had to do in previous years. We may be five steps forward and four back. But we're still holding our own. A lot of people are willing to help each other to make this community work." Johnson arranged the business visit through New Britain Chamber of Commerce President William Millerick.