Blazing a New Lean Path

MPI logo with diamond shape and text

"The staff at CONNSTEP is an esteemed partner in our Lean journey. The staff works well with every level of employee from the President down to the shop floor, identifying the best ways to leverage our staff talent and energy, helping us build a Lean culture."

—Dennis Perry, Customer Service Manager, Metallurgical Processing, Inc.


For the past 55 years, Metallurgical Processing, Inc. (MPI) has provided a wide range of metal treating services to regional manufacturers. The 38,000 square foot facility in New Britain, Connecticut is home to 55 employees and offers hardening and softening of parts for wear resistance and machinability, as well as PVD coating, cold treating, and a variety of support services.

  • Challenge

    First exposed to Lean methodologies by a key customer, MPI participated in a two-tier value stream mapping exercise lead by CONNSTEP.  A two-tier value stream follows the flow of a component as if the customer and supplier processes were fully integrated. The event illustrated where MPI had opportunities for improvement. The team discovered it was the process of repackaging product and moving it to the next process that created a bottleneck.


    They knew that every process has a flow to it and identified the tempering department as the common denominator to flow problems. It was a log jam for the entire facility, with product jammed everywhere and people searching for every order and constantly moving products around.

  • Solution

    CONNSTEP urged MPI to seek funding through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund’s PRIME program. Administered by Connecticut Light & Power, the PRIME program provides businesses with training in Lean Manufacturing techniques in order to streamline product flow, eliminate or reduce waste, improve production efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and reduce electrical energy consumption. 

  • Result

    The tempering department bottleneck was addressed first; however, a new bottleneck was developed down the process in the inspection area since the department wasn’t capable of handling the increased flow of work. Soon after, the PRIME program was again leveraged to implement standard work and a FIFO (first in, first out) system within the inspection department.


    With the FIFO system implemented and employees given direction through standard work, an accurate flow of product and information became visible within the department. This led to a reduction in turn time from seven days to five and a 20 percent increase in capacity.

Blue circle with white zig-zag arrow pointing up, within a brown ring.

Project Impact

$935,000 Increased & Retained Sales

$180,000 Cost Savings

20% Increased Production Capacity

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's Marcia LaFemina receives the 2026 Workforce Champion award from Governor Ned Lamont
April 24, 2026
Penn Globe's Marcia LaFemina receives the 2026 Workforce Champion award from Governor Ned Lamont
Photo of CONNSTEP President and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez with a congratulatory message.
By Amanda Beaulieu March 23, 2026
CONNSTEP is proud to share that President and CEO Beatriz N. Gutierrez has been named one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2026 Women in Business honorees.
CONNSTEP Awarded $350,000 Federal Grant to Support Connecticut Manufacturers in Energy & Technology
By Amanda Beaulieu March 13, 2026
“We were pleased to get this grant,” said Congressman Larson. “It comes because of the mission, and it comes because of CONNSTEP’s initiative.”
CONNSTEP team photo
By Jaime Santos March 11, 2026
Explore success stories, register for trainings and events, connect with our team of trusted advisor, and access industry insights—all in just a few clicks.