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NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — In honor of National Small Business Week, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray paid a visit to Spencer Technologies in Northborough on Wednesday afternoon for a tour of one of the town's fastest growing companies.
"I just wanted to come here and get a lesson," Murray said, "so we can help you grow."
Spencer Technologies develops IT solutions for businesses, especially retail. They handle cabling, telephone systems, wireless Internet systems and video conferencing, among many others. The company employs about 250 people and operates all across North America, serving well-known clients such as Panasonic, McDonalds and the Gap.
"Our approach to the market is: If you walk in a store, anything technological, we have our hands on it," said Gene Bradley, Channel Sales Manager for Spencer Technologies.
Bradley, who led the tour, explained to Murray that they hired about 90 employees in the past few months.
"We're looking ahead to grow," he said. "We started here [in Massachusetts], and we grew outward, but out strongest sweet spot is here."
One area they are now focusing on, Bradley said, is sustainability. Specifically, they're looking into efficient lighting and environmental controls for businesses, among other solutions.
"We're recognized as the best state in the country for that," Murray said, adding that Massachusetts had created thousands of jobs thanks to the Patrick Administration's focus on sustainability and clean energy.
Murray suggested getting Bradley in touch with state officials working on sustainability right now, such as Mark Sylvia, Director of the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Murray stressed that it would be good for government and businesses to get together and "compare notes" on sustainability. Bradley agreed.
Murray was also curious about what Spencer Technologies required for an adequately educated workforce.
Bradley said that on-the-job training played a big role, especially for the maintenance workers based all over North America whose job is to service technology for the company's clients. "What they know is really what they learn going along," he said.
However, Bradley said that they do hire maintenance workers with prior experience as well, and agreed with Murray that community colleges could help maintain a steady stream of qualified workers.
"Any way we can help, we will," Murray said at the tour's conclusion.
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