TRUMPF, Inc., Westminster Tool, Ward Leonard, National Teen Inventor, and Legendary Inventor Dean Kamen                   To Be Honored 

For more than 350 years, New England has been the birthplace of invention. The helicopter, nuclear submarine, the first space suit on the moon, famed duck boots, and even the Wiffle Ball were all born and manufactured in the region.

To honor this legacy, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame (AMHoF) hosted the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 11, 2025, at the CT Manufacturing Innovation Forum held at the Connecticut Convention Center. This year’s ceremony expanded into a regional recognition with honorees from throughout New England. The CT Manufacturing Innovation Forum is presented by the CT Office of Manufacturing and CT Manufacturing Innovation Fund.

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees are TRUMPF, Inc., headquartered in Farmington, CT, Westminster Tool from Plainfield, CT, Ward Leonard located in Thomaston, CT, and our inaugural Innovator of the Year, Legendary Inventor, Dean Kamen of Manchester, New Hampshire. AMHoF also recognized Nolan Kosciukiewicz from Newington, CT as Youth Innovator of the Year.

The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame (AMHoF) was formed in 2014 by a passionate group of manufacturing stakeholders with the mission to “Celebrate, Innovate, Educate.” Each year, AMHoF selects our next inductees to share our vision of celebrating manufacturing, innovation, and providing educational support to the next generation.

With its North American headquarters in Farmington, CT, TRUMPF, Inc. is a global high-tech leader in industrial lasers and fabricating equipment. Totaling 500,000 square feet, TRUMPF’s newest addition is its Smart Factory that showcases the latest in automated manufacturing.

As a small family-owned mold manufacturing company based in Plainfield, Connecticut, Westminster Tool is known across the state for revolutionary recruitment, onboarding, and an employee-empowered culture employing some of the best and brightest in Connecticut.

Mission is more than a word at Ward Leonard. It’s a code of conduct. For 120 years, Ward Leonard has been a leader in electric motor, generator, control, and service solutions for the U.S. Navy fleet.

Dean Kamen is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate for science and technology. Dean Kaman is the founder of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), FIRST Global, and the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) | BioFabUSA.

This past June, 14-year-old Nolan Kosciukiewicz earned First Place for Eighth Grade and the Overall Category Award in Household Organization and Appliances at the U.S. Nationals Invention Convention, rising to the top among 202,000 student entries nationwide.

"For more than three centuries, Connecticut has been a leader and an innovator in American manufacturing. I'm proud to support the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame and their mission to honor all that our state and region has accomplished while inspiring the next generation of inventors, innovators, and makers in Connecticut," said CT Governor Ned Lamont.

The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame also announced three new education programs.

“Founded by a passionate group of manufacturing stakeholders in 2014, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame Celebrates those who Innovate, and Educates our next generation of makers,” said AMHoF Founding Sponsor Brett Bushnell, CLA. CLA is a professional services firm experienced in delivering integrated outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services to help clients succeed professionally and personally. RBC Bearings is the event’s Steel Sponsor, and ASML and Bank of America are 2025 Copper Sponsors.