Stanley Black & Decker to Shutter New Britain Manufacturing Plant

Closure will impact around 300 employees as demand for tape measures declines.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Stanley Black & Decker, the global tool manufacturer, announced it will be closing its manufacturing facility in New Britain, Connecticut. The plant predominantly produces tape measures, but the company cited a decline in demand for those products as the reason behind the closure. The shutdown will affect approximately 300 employees, according to local officials.

Why it matters

The closure of the Stanley Black & Decker plant represents a significant economic blow to New Britain, which has long been home to the company's operations. The facility closure is part of a broader trend of manufacturing job losses in the region as consumer demand and production needs shift.

The details

The New Britain manufacturing plant has been in operation since 1843 and is the largest hand and power tool manufacturing facility owned by Stanley Black & Decker. While some impacted employees may be offered positions at other company locations, others will receive severance packages and job placement assistance. It's currently unclear when the facility will officially close.

  • Stanley Black & Decker announced the closure on February 26, 2026.

The players

Stanley Black & Decker

A global manufacturer of hand and power tools, headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut.

David DeFronzo

A Democratic state representative for New Britain, who expressed sadness over the plant closure and its impact on the local economy.

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What they’re saying

“You know it's a sad day for New Britain. Stanley Works has a long history here and slowly but surely its presence has been eroded.”

— David DeFronzo, State Representative

The takeaway

The closure of the Stanley Black & Decker manufacturing plant in New Britain is a significant blow to the local economy, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing the manufacturing sector as consumer demands and production needs evolve. The loss of 300 jobs will have ripple effects throughout the community, raising questions about the long-term viability of the region's industrial base.