WILMINGTON — Less than a month since she took office, Gov. Maura Healey paid a visit to Middlesex County to shine a light on the state’s manufacturing industry.
Healey, alongside Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Yvonne Hao and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, stopped at Wilmington’s Analog Devices Tuesday morning to understand its impact on Massachusetts’s economy.
Analog Devices, a member of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, is a manufacturing company that works on “advancing breakthrough technologies,” namely with semiconductors, according to Ferda Millan, the company’s director of global public relations and external communications.
While there, Healey toured two product line laboratories: Analog’s Battery Characterization Lab, where they work on improving battery health for electric vehicles, and their High-Speed Converter/Radio Frequency Lab, where they create products for wireless communication, such as cellphones, and automotive radar, as well as other markets.
She was joined by state Sen. Barry Finegold and state Rep. David Robertson, who represent Wilmington and who also delivered remarks.
In a statement, Healey referred to founders Ray Stata and Matthew Lorber, who studied in Massachusetts, and stressed her commitment to growing the industry in the state.
“Founded decades ago by two MIT grads, Analog Devices finds innovative solutions to today’s biggest challenges,” Healey stated. “By collaborating with companies like Analog, we’ll make Massachusetts a hub for semiconductor and chip innovation and manufacturing.”
Healey went on to visit 88 Acres Tour in Dorchester later that day before delivering a speech at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts January Executive Forum on Thursday.
Robertson said Analog Devices is one of the “most critical employers in town,” developing important technologies like radar and sonar for the military and aircraft, augmented reality, batteries for small and large utilities and semiconductors, which are “critical to everyday life.”
Housing a giant in the industry, right in his district, is a source of pride for Robertson.
“To have them not just have a facility in Wilmington, but to elect to expand that facility into their corporate headquarters, it shows the quality of services the town has to offer,” Robertson said, “but more importantly, it shows the quality of people available here.”
They not only employ the scientists and statisticians producing the high-tech products, but also electrical engineers, accountants and those with “a wide array of specialties,” Robertson said. High-tech research jobs also have “longevity,” he added, meaning they’re not going anywhere.
He said he also hopes Healey prioritizes the federal CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to strengthen the country’s manufacturing footprint.
Finegold is equally passionate about supporting the work of Analog Devices, having recently filed a bill that would grant a larger tax incentive for semiconductor manufacturing. In his conversations with Healey, Finegold said she seems “receptive” to promoting the industry.
Walking through the building, Finegold said he met many constituents, including some of his daughter’s friends, proving how strong the company is to the region.
“What we have here in Massachusetts, the other 49 states want,” he said. “We have to remain competitive here in the commonwealth.”
It’s vital for the state to invest in those kinds of devices created right in Wilmington, Robertson said, as well as to support the labor force in the commonwealth. But the representative also wanted a look at the facility himself.
“I wanted to see those selfishly because it’s really cool and almost like some sort of ‘Star Trek,’ futuristic (thing),” Robertson said. “It’s a glimpse into tomorrow.”
Rebecca Diaz, vice president of treasury, mergers and acquisitions and government affairs at Analog Devices, wrote in a statement that the company was “extremely honored” to host the governor.
“As a global company with deep roots in Massachusetts, we have a shared ambition to elevate the state’s position in the global technology landscape,” Diaz wrote. “ADI is committed to investing in innovation that helps achieve major policy goals and supports the Massachusetts technology ecosystem.”
Both Robertson and Finegold said they’d like to invite the governor and her cabinet back to the district to discuss other priorities.
“I know she’ll be very accessible, and we look forward to hosting her again,” Finegold said.
