Grow.

Improve.

Succeed.

Solutions designed to empower people, optimize processes, and leverage technology.

Grow. Improve.

Succeed.

Solutions designed to empower people, optimize processes, and leverage technology.

What is CONNSTEP?

CONNSTEP is Connecticut’s leading manufacturing solutions provider. As Connecticut's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), CONNSTEP helps small to mid-sized manufacturers strengthen their businesses and grow through tailored solutions and measurable results.

What is CONNSTEP?

Our Mission:

To help Connecticut manufacturers reach their goals by serving as their trusted advisor and resource, delivering the guidance and expertise needed to support growth, navigate compliance, and remain competitive.

CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURERS WE WORK WITH:

Accutron logo: blue circle with angled white lines, cursive "Accutron" text.
Logo for The Arthur G. Russell Company: a gear around a globe, with the letters "AGR" in green.
Alden logo: Bold, dark gray text with "ALDEN" above "CUTTING EDGE SURGICAL TOOLS" in orange; "SINCE 1947" below.
AeroCision logo: dark blue text within an oval, with a blue sphere and curved line.
Logo: ALINABAL text with a blue arch over the A.
Logo for CATIC: stylized buildings in blue and orange next to the company name in blue text.

Driving Growth in Connecticut

CONNSTEP’s work delivers tangible impacts and long-term success across the state.

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$125M+

Million in Cost Savings

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$450M+

Million in Increased/Retained Sales

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2,500+

Jobs Created/Retained

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850+

Manufacturers Served

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Tailored Solutions for Every Stage of Manufacturing Growth

CONNSTEP offers solutions designed to empower your people, optimize your processes, and leverage your technology.

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Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance, reduce risk, and protect your organization through integrated cybersecurity, quality, safety, and regulatory expertise.

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Driving Operational Excellence

Improve efficiency by optimizing technology, processes, and supply chains to eliminate waste and strengthen operations enterprise.

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Developing Your People & Culture

Develop leaders and teams by aligning talent, culture, and change management to support sustainable business success.

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Accelerating Strategic Growth

Turn strategy into results by identifying opportunities, accelerating innovation, & driving revenue through focused execution growth.

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Achieving Sustainability

Reduce environmental impact and costs by managing energy, emissions, and resources with data-driven sustainability strategies initiatives.

Man working on a VF4SS CNC machine in a workshop. He wears a hat and dark clothes, and is holding a tool.

Stories of Impact

Real manufacturers. Real results. See how CONNSTEP partners drive measurable success

April 29, 2026
Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc., founded in 1989, is a privately held family-operated small business in Enfield, Connecticut, specializing in precision machining for the aerospace industry. What began as a two-person operation in a 2,000-square-foot building has grown into a company with over 100 employees operating out of a 114,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. As a contract manufacturer, Phoenix specializes in complex, tight-tolerance components, supported by more than 40 CNC machines and a multi-axis mill/turn line. The company provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions—from engineering consultation through full-scale production—serving commercial aviation, spaceflight, and defense markets for both domestic and global customers, including leading aerospace and defense OEMs. A defining element of Phoenix’s growth has been its strategic investment in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly palletized machining centers. Since 2017, the company has added 11 machining centers integrated with palletized systems, enabling unattended, automated production and significantly expanding machining capacity. This automation journey has positioned Phoenix to better meet increasing customer demand while maximizing machine utilization. Phoenix’s commitment to quality is central to its operations and customer relationships. Managing more than 600 active part numbers, the company strives for 0 parts per million (PPM) defects and 99% on-time delivery (OTD) for major OEM customers. Its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001 and AS9100 Rev D standards, and Phoenix also holds NADCAP certifications in Nonconventional Machining and Nondestructive Testing, reflecting a rigorous, inspection-driven approach to delivering consistent, high-quality results.  Guided by a mission to deliver high-quality, cost-effective products through advanced technology and an uncompromising commitment to quality, Phoenix continues to invest in innovation, automation, and the next generation of manufacturing leadership.
April 28, 2026
Founded in 1959, Projects Inc. is a Glastonbury, Connecticut-based manufacturer specializing in precision-machined components for aerospace, industrial, and commercial applications. With 102 employees, the company operates out of 66,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and supports customers across a range of industries, including aerospace and power generation. Projects Inc. has deep roots in the aerospace industry, where it has provided high-quality machining services for decades. Since 1996, the company has supplied FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components to the aviation sector. Projects Inc. received FAA Repair Station Certification in 1984. As a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, Projects supports customers with repair solutions that help keep critical aerospace equipment operating safely and efficiently. Its customer base includes major aerospace companies such as Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, and GE Aerospace, along with airlines including United, Delta, American, and Lufthansa. Projects Inc. is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – approved. The company is also AS9100D and ISO 9001: 2015-certified, reflecting its commitment to quality, consistency, and industry standards. With capabilities that include prototyping, CNC machining, EDM, laser cutting, and grinding, Projects Inc. offers a broad range of precision manufacturing services supported by advanced in-house equipment and technical expertise. Today, Projects Inc. is recognized as an experienced supplier of high-quality components, with a long-standing focus on quality, reliability, and customer service.
Penn Globe logo over a room with people, possibly a conference.
February 11, 2026
Learn how Penn Globe partnered with CONNSTEP to invest in employee training, strengthen skills, and support business growth and competitiveness.
Logo of Specialty Cable Corporation (SCC) in a warehouse setting.
February 10, 2026
See how Specialty Cable Manufacturers partnered with CONNSTEP to strengthen quality systems and successfully achieve AS9100 recertification.
People in a factory setting, with the Forum Contract Manufacturing logo in the foreground.
February 9, 2026
Learn how Forum Plastics partnered with CONNSTEP to invest in supervisory training, strengthen leadership skills, and support long-term growth.
Logo of the letter
February 8, 2026
See how a Connecticut printing company partnered with CONNSTEP to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and advance environmental sustainability.

Hear From Our Partners

Hear directly from the companies we've helped – real results, lasting improvements, and measurable impact across Connecticut.

Improved Workflow

After evaluating our mold-making process and identifying opportunities for improvement, we’ve significantly reduced our overall lead time and improved our first-pass yield. With this enhanced workflow, we’re now able to complete jobs more quickly.

—David Parmelee, President, Wepco Plastics

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Upcoming Events & Training

Join us for workshops, webinars, and networking opportunities designed to help your business grow.

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

Five people stand in a room, listening. Two people wear jeans, a woman in a green outfit, another in a black shirt and cap.

CPES 2025 Fall

Conference: The Future

of Energy


10/20

1 pm -5 pm

Hartfod

What's New at CONNSTEP

See how we're helping manufacturers across Connecticut grow stronger through innovation, training, and continuous improvement.

Grow.

Improve.

Succeed.

Connect with our team today to find out how CONNSTEP can empower your manufacturing business to compete and thrive.

Man in a blue coat working on metal mold in a workshop, wearing safety glasses and an earbud.

Grow. Improve.

Succeed.

Connect with our team today to find out how CONNSTEP can empower your manufacturing business to compete and thrive.