CONNSTEP Newsletter | January 2024

January 3, 2024
Welder in protective gear; Connstep Monthly, January 2024. Text: Grow. Improve. Succeed.

Recent Case Studies


Visual Management Tools and Setup Reduction Drive Quality and Production Gains

“We’ve really seen a culture of continuous improvement emerge with the mandatory use of visual boards. It’s become a habit to check the scheduling boards to help keep the jobs flowing. It’s now our standard way of operating.” Ibrahim Ibrahim, Lynn Welding Company, Inc.

Read this Case Study: https://www.connstep.org/case-study/visual-management-tools-and-set-up-reduction-drive-quality-and-production-gains/

 

CONNEX Facilitates a $100,000 Sales Opportunity for Novo Precision

“Using CONNEX we were able to find a good strategic match with a local company that was buying out of state and finishing in-house. We can provide complete turnkey service which is a win – win for both companies.” Bill Hazard, Novo Precision

 

More Case Studies

Recent Blogs


The Importance of Setup Reduction/Quick Changeover

One of the biggest challenges manufacturers face today is high mix, low volume customer orders. The market demands shorter lead times of more frequent and smaller lots (batches) of product. This creates a dilemma for those manufacturers that deal with excessive setup or changeover time of equipment.

Read this Blog: https://www.connstep.org/continuous-improvement/the-importance-of-setup-reduction-quick-changeover/

 

The Power of Kaizen in Manufacturing
Staying competitive and productive in manufacturing is essential to survival. One approach that has proven its worth time and time again is Kaizen. Kaizen, a Japanese term meaning “change for better,” is a methodology that focuses on continuous improvement. In this blog, we’ll explore how Kaizen works and the benefits it brings to a manufacturing business.

Read this Blog: https://www.connstep.org/continuous-improvement/the-power-of-kaizen-in-manufacturing/

 

More Blogs

Upcoming Training & Events


Event
A Guide to Digital Transformation Hosted by Capital Community College

Date: Wednesday, January 17th
Time:
 7:30 am-9 am
Location:
 Capital Community College, Hartford, CT

 

Webinar
Building a Successful Profile with CONNEX Connecticut

Date: Friday, January 19th
Time:
 12 noon-12:30 pm
Location:
 Online

 

Training
Continuous Improvement Champion Certification (CICC Spring 2024)
Date: March 5-June 4
Time:
 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Location:
 Cromwell, CT

 

Training
Quality Essentials Program (QEP Spring 2024)
Date: April 11-May 9
Time:
 9 am-3:30 pm
Location:
 Cromwell, CT

Manufacturing News


• 500 Registered Manufacturers Reaping Benefits of CONNEX CT
• CBIA BizCast: Talking Manufacturing with RSM’s Dan Wheadon
• 
CBIA BizCast: UConn Tech Park Drives Innovation
• Connecticut’s CHIPS Consortium

• (MIF) Manufacturing Innovation Fund Annual Report
• 
[Podcast] Manufacturing an American Century: Check out the most recent episode of the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC)’s podcast! Host Matt Bogoshian talks to Paul S. Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer and Kelli-Marie Vallieres,PhD, Connecticut’s Chief Workforce Officer.

Manufacturing Resources


Money for Manufacturers 
Grant programs designed to help Connecticut manufacturers acquire the skills, tools, and resources needed to keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing ecosystem.

CONNSTEP’s Downloads & Materials
Discover key resources and information to help your organization overcome challenges and meet its goals to advance your business growth, enhance your manufacturing capabilities, and sustain your competitiveness in the industry.

Additional Resources

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CONNSTEP Monthly Newsletter


Recent Posts

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.
Beekley Medical logo with text
February 7, 2026
Learn how a medical products manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to strengthen quality systems and achieve successful recertification.
Pursuit Aerospace logo over a blurred medical equipment background. The logo is white text on a black rectangular box.
February 6, 2026
See how an aerospace manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to conduct an internal quality audit and get back on track to compliance.
Woman in lab setting, logo overlay of Syn-Mar Products Inc., blue and white color scheme.
February 5, 2026
Learn how a home bathroom remodeling manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to use lean training to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Logo for Wild CNC Machining Services on a blue background.
February 4, 2026
See how a manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to update HR policies, strengthen people practices, and support future business growth.
Show More