Enterprise-Wide Lean Transformation Drives Growth & Revenue

Logo of PHARMCO, a teal circle with a white triangle, followed by the word

"The enterprise-wide lean transformation facilitated by CONNSTEP helped give us the continuous improvement head start we needed. Especially under our new ownership with Greenfield Global, who share our mission and vision to provide products that help our customers do incredible things."

—Frank Richards - EVP & Managing Director Specialty Chemicals & Ingredients


Greenfield Global Inc. is the largest high-purity alcohol company in North America offering bulk and packaged ingredients and additives. Under its Pharmco brand, the company offers a wide range of bulk and packaged ingredients and additives to customers around the globe. Known for premium quality and service excellence, the Pharmco brand is a leading choice for industries manufacturing cosmetics, food and beverage flavoring, as well as personal care, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals.


The Pharmco brand has more than 30 years of experience in producing and packaging premium industrial alcohols and solvents. Custom formulations that meet the most rigorous standards, regulatory expertise, and superior logistics worldwide are a few of its competitive advantages. Also, many of its earth-friendly alcohol products help replace chemicals derived from petroleum.

  • Challenge

    Corporate leadership recognized growing demand by existing customers while also addressing the needs of prospective customers posed a significant opportunity. The company tasked itself to grow the business with current resources by becoming more efficient, reducing waste, and developing more productive internal capabilities.


    As a result, a business decision to incorporate Lean manufacturing tools and techniques into its production processes was made to improve operational and financial performance. Management and supervisory team members would also need to develop their skill sets further to maximize the productivity of the company workforce.


    Integrating continuous improvement and building internal capacity would be a major undertaking and long term process. And, principles learned and implemented would form the foundation for improving all operations within the company.

  • Solution

    To help achieve their business growth goals, Greenfield partnered with CONNSTEP to recommend and implement an enterprise-wide lean (EWL) strategy combined with management development, improved interdepartmental teamwork and a customer survey for its Pharmco brand.


    The EWL model worked on the company mission and vision, set strategic objectives, and help build their lean resources, including sending several employees through CONNSTEP’s Continuous Improvement Champion Certification (CICC) program. The CICC program proved instrumental in helping grow the business without adding incremental resources.


    In addition to creating Lean awareness and introducing the basic principles and practices of Lean manufacturing, a couple of kaizen’s were conducted to focus on process improvement and value stream mapping traced the production flow from raw material to finished product.


    Management training workshops emphasized interactivity, experiential learning, conflict strategies, communication skills, time management, and understanding employee behavior.

  • Result

    Lean awareness training combined with leadership mentoring led to improved production efficiencies and reduced waste. A key takeaway from the customer survey was that Greenfield’s Pharmco brand is known as high quality and low cost. This has enabled the company to enhance its margins over time, which, in combination with their EWL transformation, has increased revenue 34% and profitability by 39%.

Blue circle with a white upward trending arrow, framed in orange.

Project Impact

34% Increased Revenue

39% Increased Profitability

August 6, 2026
Eljen Corporation is a Windsor, Connecticut-based manufacturer and global leader in innovative onsite wastewater treatment solutions. Founded in 1970 and operating from a 66,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Eljen is best known for pioneering its Geotextile Sand Filter (GSF) technology. The company develops sustainable products that protect public health and the environment through reliable wastewater treatment solutions for residential and commercial applications. Behind Eljen's innovation is a culture deeply rooted in military service. Led by a team of military veterans, the company emphasizes leadership, integrity, and service—values that extend throughout its 60-person workforce and its customer relationships. Eljen's commitment to recruiting, employing, and supporting veterans has earned national recognition through the U.S. Department of Labor's HIRE Vets Medallion Program.  Beyond product innovation, Eljen is committed to educating and supporting the thousands of installers around the world who use its systems. Through technical expertise and a commitment to customer support, the company helps ensure its products are installed correctly and perform as intended.
August 6, 2026
Founded in 2019, U.T.R. Engineering Works is a Norfolk, Connecticut-based precision engineering and manufacturing company specializing in custom design, precision machining, fabrication, and industrial equipment support. With a hands-on, collaborative approach, the company serves organizations ranging from local family-owned businesses to some of the world's largest corporations, helping manufacturers improve performance, extend equipment life, and maintain operational efficiency. Despite its small size, U.T.R. delivers engineering expertise across industries including marine, defense, aerospace, offshore oil and gas, subsea robotics, and medical devices. Operating from a 1,100-square-foot facility with a team of four employees, the company partners with manufacturers to solve complex engineering challenges, improve production processes, and develop innovative solutions through capabilities that include reverse engineering, equipment modifications, process equipment design, and on-site machinery repair and maintenance.  Committed to customer satisfaction, U.T.R. maintains an on-time delivery rate of more than 98% while emphasizing continuous improvement, exceptional quality, and innovative, cost-effective solutions. The company's focus on quality has translated into exceptional customer performance, with no customer complaints, product returns, or customer-initiated corrective actions, supported by consistently positive customer feedback.
Website screen shot of CMMC 2.0 Help Now Compliance Estimator webpage
By Amanda Beaulieu August 6, 2026
Learn how CONNSTEP's new CMMC 2.0 Compliance Estimator helps defense manufacturers assess readiness and estimate compliance costs in minutes.
New CONNSTEP board members Michael Scotto and Christian Colon.
By Amanda Beaulieu August 4, 2026
CONNSTEP announcement about the election of new Board of Directors members Michael Scotto and Christian Colon.
CONNSTEP Anna Mumford Women of Innovation 2026 Finalist
By Amanda Beaulieu August 3, 2026
“To be recognized alongside so many inspiring women who are advancing STEM and driving innovation across Connecticut is truly meaningful,” said Anna Mumford.
Electric Boat Secures Historic U.S. Navy Contract to Expand Submarine Production
By Amanda Beaulieu July 30, 2026
General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded contract modifications as part of the U.S. Navy's $76.6 billion shipbuilding contract for 14 additional submarines.