CONNSTEP CREATES, RETAINS 220 MANUFACTURING JOBS IN CONNECTICUT IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS

July 24, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rebecca Kane Dow, 860.513.3217

(Statewide) - CONNSTEP, the state's leading manufacturing resource for Lean and clean manufacturing, business growth services and quality management systems, released its latest economic impact figures for the period of July 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008. The numbers indicate that CONNSTEP's services have helped Connecticut manufacturers create or retain 220 jobs during that time period. Additionally, these same manufacturers reported $116 million dollars of increased sales and $110 million dollars of retained sales, for a total of $226 million in overall sales impact after working with CONNSTEP.

CONNSTEP showed $3 million dollars in cost reductions and reported $18 million dollars of company reinvestment. "The type of programs and services we offer to Connecticut manufacturers are in great demand these days, particularly because of fierce global competition," said Bonnie DelConte, CONNSTEP's president. "Despite challenging economic times, Connecticut manufacturers have demonstrated that they have what it takes to not only compete but surpass global forces in ingenuity and skilled workforce," she said.

According to John Gotch, Jr., Vice President of Scan Tool & Mold, Inc., "CONNSTEP was instrumental in helping Scan Tool & Mold with quality systems process improvement and implementation which has enhanced overall productivity and helped us to procure new business."

Colt Defense, LLC, of West Hartford, worked closely with CONNSTEP to achieve and maintain their quality systems registration, "We were very impressed with CONNSTEP's deep level of knowledge, understanding and expertise in the area of quality improvement," said Tracy VanFlatern, Quality Manager, Colt Defense, LLC.

CONNSTEP customer Connecticut Spring and Stamping (CSS) reported that with CONNSTEP's help, the company created and retained 60 jobs, increased and retained sales of more than $2 million and was able to reinvest $53,000. "Because CSS focuses on manufacturing tight tolerance springs for the medical, firearms and aerospace industries, it is critical that we constantly remain ahead of the curve in terms of lean enterprise‐ wide lean culture, quality and process improvements," said Gaston Pelletier, Director of Lean, Connecticut Spring and Stamping. "Working with the CONNSTEP consultants and service providers in these areas has helped us remain a leader in our industry," he said.

About CONNSTEP
CONNSTEP's mission is to help Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced technology and modern management methodologies to become more competitive. Since 1994, CONNSTEP's innovative programs have helped hundreds of manufacturers annually, and have assisted in the creation or retention of thousands of jobs. CONNSTEP's team of manufacturing specialists provides business growth, technical and process improvement assistance. Core service areas include Lean Manufacturing, Quality Management Systems, Enterprise Growth, People Systems, environmental, and business assessment. CONNSTEP is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce through the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  

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