Newington Manufacturer Reno Machine Company Ignites Passion for Future Generation with Hands-On Tour of 85,000 sq. ft. Facility
New Britain High School Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology students discover the exciting career paths and possibilities in Connecticut’s thriving manufacturing industry.
NEWINGTON, CT – On Wednesday, November 13th, Reno Machine Company, a leading large-format manufacturer in Newington, opened its doors to a class of 13 New Britain High School Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology students, along with their instructor, Eric Nelson, and two Advanced Manufacturing Employer Partnership (AMEP) representatives, Alison Carey-Lynch and Leah Fuhs. This tour, hosted in collaboration with AMEP, an employer-led Workforce Solutions Collaborative Metro Hartford Industry Partnership, proved to be transformative for the students.
Founded in 1957, family-owned Reno Machine Company is a large CNC-based manufacturer focused on aerospace, defense, and research development projects. Reno has expanded their efforts to connect with up-and-coming talent over the past year; hosting a high school student tour marks a key milestone in this initiative.
The day was led by Vice President of Operations Antonio Occhialini, grandson of Reno Machine Company’s founder, and his dedicated team who guided students through various stages of manufacturing—from sales to production to inspection, all of which collectively power Reno Machine Company’s successful operations.
After an educational presentation about Reno Machine Company, students entered the shop, getting an exclusive look at 3 and 5-axis machines, large turning lathes, and two advanced inspection rooms. They also had the opportunity to hold and examine composite parts and manufacturing tools like micrometers, used for precision inspection; garnet crystals, used in abrasive waterjet cutting; and vacuum fixtures, used to hold critical parts during machining operations.
“We were excited to host the students of New Britain High School and show them the innovative work being done right here in our community,” said Occhialini. “At Reno Machine we believe in the power of education and are proud to support and inspire the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers who will drive our industry forward.”
Instructor Eric Nelson emphasized how valuable it was for his students to experience a real-world manufacturing environment, as it broadened their understanding of the diverse career paths within the industry. His students described the experience as “inspiring”, “amazing” – one even going as far as saying she was “starstruck” by the impressive scale and capabilities of the machines.
As Reno Machine continues to build a bridge for young talent to enter advanced manufacturing, this tour stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering the future of the industry – one student at a time.
Check out a recap of the day here!
###
Based in Newington, CT, Reno Machine Company is a manufacturer that specializes in large-part precision manufacturing as well as durable tooling and complex molds for today’s composite part and structure fabrication. Reno’s team reliably delivers high-quality, precision-machined products on time and within budget to industries including Aerospace, Defense, Armament, Energy and Marine. Learn more by visiting reno-machine.com.