Mayor Stewart Announces Agreement With Dattco And Guida's To Purchase New Britain Machine Property

July 8, 2004

New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart announced today that he has reached an agreement in principle with two longtime area businesses to purchase property on South Street formerly owned by the New Britain Machine Company.

"I am truly excited to announce that, following lengthy negotiations, we have reached an agreement with the owners of Dattco and Guida's to purchase twenty-six acres of property formerly owned by the New Britain Machine Company," Mayor Stewart said today.

"These are two of the region's oldest and most successful business operations and I am pleased that they have decided to expand their operations here in New Britain."

Under the proposed plan to purchase, Guida's plans to move a large refrigeration storage facility currently located out of town to New Britain while Dattco intends to construct offices and to move other parts of its operations from Berlin to New Britain.

"The Guida and DeVivo families have played an important role in our City's history for many years and it is with great pride that I can announce that, through this purchase, we can assure that they will continue to be a vital part of New Britain's future as well," Stewart continued.

Stewart noted that Guida's Dairy has been an integral part of New Britain's heritage since 1886. v"From the days of horse drawn milk wagons of the past to the internet on-line ordering of today, Guida's has become one of the largest independent family-owned businesses in New England. Spanning three different centuries, Guida's has moved from a small family dairy to a corporation with more than 200 trucks and annual sales exceeding $130 million."

Continuing Stewart said, "Dattco has been providing transportation services in New Britain, Central Connecticut and throughout the Northeast since its founder, Helen Muter, applied for a jitney service in 1924.

"Today, Dattco operates three major business segments including School Bus Contracting, a Sales and Service Division, and the Motorcoach and Tour & Travel Group. The DeVivo family, the company's officers and 1,200 employees have contributed greatly to the community and to charitable causes every year."

Concluding Mayor Stewart said, "I look forward to working with these companies to make this a smooth transition for the neighborhood with a minimum of changes needed in the local infrastructure to effect their move. Existing roads and other facilities should be sufficient to allow Guida's and Dattco to make this move with very little disruption.

"This is an exciting event for the City of New Britain and its 70,000 residents. Two of the area's finest families and two of the finest corporations are joining with the City of New Britain in a long-term commitment to the community.

"And, as a significant added benefit, the City will see a boost in the Grand List as this property moves back onto the tax rolls. This is clearly a win/win situation for the City and for Dattco and Guida's."