Congress to hear story of Bloomfield manufacturer

When Brad Braddon, president of Commodore Plastics and Commodore Technology in Bloomfield, hosted U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, earlier this month he had no idea it would lead to a trip to Washington D.C. to speak before a Congressional committee.
 

Today, Braddon represents small business owners in the 27th Congressional District as he tells the story of Commodore before the House Small Business Committee.

Collins is a member of the committee that is hearing from business owners in celebration of the 50th annual National Small Business Week.
 

“I think it will be an interesting experience to go to Washington, and a little bit exciting,” Braddon said Tuesday.
 

He planned to leave earlier today, driving to the Capitol with family members including his parents, George and Kitty Braddon.
 

George founded the manufacturing business in 1981. Commodore makes foam meat trays for supermarkets and food processors; Commodore Plastics employs 150 people and services about 4 percent of the U.S. market for meat trays. Commodore Technology makes all the equipment Commodore Plastics uses and also sells this technology to vendors around the globe. Commodore Technology employs about 30 people.
 

Last month, Commodore announced plans to open a third location in Ontario County, in the former site of Stone Construction Equipment Inc. in Honeoye.

The purpose of the hearing, called Made in the USA: Stories of American Manufacturers, is to highlight the reemergence and accomplishments of small American manufacturers. Collins invited Brad to testify on behalf of manufacturers in the 27th Congressional District.
 

“America’s small businesses, like Commodore Plastics and Commodore Technology, are the engines of job creation, employing about half of all private sector workers,” stated Collins in a release. Collins added he thinks “it is important members of Congress hear directly from Brad and his business peers about what Washington must do to create the right kind of economic environment for small businesses to grow and hire more people.”