Inside Connecticut Manufacturing: Innovation, Talent and the Future of Industry

The 2026 Manufacturing Tour showcased the companies, technologies and workforce development programs strengthening Connecticut manufacturing—and the partnerships helping the industry innovate, adapt and grow.

Over five days, a big blue, branded manufacturing bus crisscrossed Connecticut during Manufacturing Month, bringing participants inside 20 manufacturing facilities and workforce development organizations. From factory floors to classrooms and training programs, the tour offered a firsthand look at the people, technologies and partnerships shaping the future of the state’s manufacturing industry.

Organized for the third consecutive year through a partnership between the CBIA Foundation, CONNSTEP, and the CBIA Manufacturing Coalition, the 2026 Manufacturing Tour also included support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Manufacturing and ASG Information Technologies.

For Chris DiPentima, CBIA president and CEO, the tour offers a valuable opportunity to get beyond the office and see the industry firsthand. As he explained in his remarks during the tour’s press conference at ebm-papst in Farmington, it brings participants “literally onto the manufacturing floor to see what our great manufacturers and their world-class workforces are doing” to shape the state’s future.

That future rests on a strong foundation. “Connecticut’s manufacturers compete confidently on design ingenuity, engineering and manufacturing excellence, precision, quality, productivity, and agility,” said Kirti Patel, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

From precision components used in life-saving medical procedures to advanced technologies supporting aerospace, data centers and automation, the tour highlighted the breadth of capabilities that make Connecticut manufacturing a vital part of the state’s economy.

“It’s a privilege to visit manufacturers across Connecticut and see firsthand the incredible range of products, technologies, and innovations being developed in every corner of our state,” said Beatriz N. Gutierrez, CONNSTEP president & CEO. “Each stop offers a different perspective on the talent, ingenuity, and expertise that keep Connecticut manufacturing moving forward.”

Throughout the week, one message came through clearly: Connecticut manufacturing is about more than what companies make. It is also about developing talent, embracing new technologies, improving operations and building partnerships that help manufacturers compete and grow.

A diverse industry with global reach

The tour offered a glimpse into the scope of Connecticut manufacturing, with visits to companies producing medical devices, aerospace components, specialty metals, engineered materials, lighting, plastics and chemicals, as well as those advancing automation technologies. Together, these companies demonstrated the range of specialized products and capabilities serving customers around the world.

Founded in 1911, AVNA manufactures precision medical device components, including parts used in the da Vinci surgical robot. With two operations in Connecticut and another Costa Rica, the company serves global markets where quality and reliability are essential.

At Medtronic’s North Haven campus, approximately 2,500 employees work across manufacturing, research and development, sales and other functions. The company’s surgical stapling and suturing products support life-saving procedures, and the visit highlighted how skilled employees remain essential to quality control, even in highly automated environments.

East Lyme’s Birk Manufacturing develops engineered thermal solutions for medical, aerospace, defense and semiconductor applications. A SpaceX partner for approximately 15 years, the company develops products for demanding environments, including the International Space Station, and uses advanced testing to validate performance under extreme conditions.

Aerospace was also represented in Torrington by Click Bond, where approximately 90% of business is tied to aerospace. Its specialized metal components meet exacting requirements, supported by the company’s in-house tooling design and production capabilities.

In Wallingford at Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., specialty metals and alloys are re-rolled into strips as thin as 0.001 inches to be used in a wide array of applications. Just up the road from Ulbrich, BYK demonstrated how specialty chemical additives improve paints, coatings, plastics, inks, adhesives and sealants, while its focus on sustainable solutions addresses evolving performance and environmental needs.

Other stops highlighted manufacturing’s reach into everyday life and emerging markets. Modern Plastics in Shelton supplies specialized plastics to medical, aerospace, semiconductor and defense industries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it designed and produced 50 million plastic face shields in a single year when overseas supplies were disrupted.

Milford’s QTL Lighting, a family business with roots in the lighting industry dating back to 1889, continues to evolve through LED technology and research and development, while LEX Innovations in Shelton produces power distribution systems for live entertainment, disaster recovery and global events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

At CHAPCO, a family-owned contract manufacturer founded in 1964, sheet metal fabrication serves industries from defense and robotics to autonomous vehicles and data centers. Its products also include Dippin’ Dots vending machines, an unexpected example of the range of markets advanced manufacturing supports.

Technology is transforming the factory floor

Automation, advanced equipment, and process improvements were featured throughout the tour, as manufacturers seek to improve quality, increase efficiency and meet changing customer demands.

TRUMPF showcased top-of-the-line metal-cutting and bending equipment alongside smart factory technologies at its Farmington campus. A notable local connection emerged throughout the week: many of the manufacturers visited use TRUMPF machines in their own operations.

At Wittmann USA in Torrington, participants explored robotics, automation and injection molding technologies. Farmington’s ebm-papst demonstrated how air technology supports efficient cooling and ventilation, including for AI data centers, where managing heat and energy use is increasingly important.

Manufacturers are also finding ways to reduce waste. LEX Innovations plans to add laser sheet metal cutting to improve material utilization and reduce scrap, while Modern Plastics recycles its production scrap rather than sending it to landfills.

Innovation can also come from improving existing processes. The third-generation family business Commercial Sewing manufactures engineered sewn products for marine and powersports markets, including boat covers, sunshades and UTV doors. Its in-house engineering team works with customers on product development, using automation and tools such as 3D printing.

Commercial Sewing also credited CONNSTEP with guiding its Lean journey, demonstrating how continuous improvement can help manufacturers strengthen operations and compete in markets increasingly challenged by offshore production.

Building the workforce of tomorrow

Behind every advanced machine and finished product are people with the skills to design, manufacture and inspect it. Throughout the tour, workforce recruitment, retention and development emerged as major priorities. Schools and training organizations are responding with hands-on programs that connect students to careers.

At CT State Tunxis, students gain experience in CNC machining, manual machining and quality inspection. They even made tic-tac-toe boards for tour participants, showcasing their developing skills.

Derby High School partners with CT State Housatonic to introduce students to blueprint reading, computer-aided design, CNC machining and inspection, linking classroom instruction with further education and manufacturing careers.

Westbrook High School connects classroom learning with workplace experiences through its career pathways program.

Developed in partnership with employers such as Electric Boat, its Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Academy offers training in welding and metals fabrication, robotics, design and engineering, alongside skills such as problem-solving, communication and creativity.

At Wolcott Technical High School, the manufacturing cluster includes precision machining, mechanical design and engineering technology, mechatronics and robotics. Students can begin work-based learning at age 16. In the 2025–2026 school year, 888 students were registered in the school’s manufacturing cluster, with 250 participating in work-based learning.

These programs help students explore manufacturing careers early while giving employers a role in developing the next generation of talent.

Expanding access to manufacturing careers

Manufacturing career pathways extend beyond high school. The tour also highlighted programs that help adults enter the industry and employers develop specialized skills.

MATCH, launched in New Haven in 2023, is Connecticut’s only multidisciplinary manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program. Its paid, five- to seven-week program helps unemployed and underemployed individuals prepare for manufacturing careers through hands-on training and job-readiness support, including resume preparation, interview coaching and math tutoring. With flexible start dates and 230 graduates to date, MATCH offers a practical pathway into the workforce.

At Click Bond, four apprenticeship programs help develop specialized skills, including a four-year program that has graduated 17 apprentices. The company aims to bring in approximately two new apprentices each year, investing in the expertise precision manufacturing requires.

Together, pre-apprenticeships and employer-led training create more entry points into manufacturing while helping companies build and retain skilled workforces.

Local partnerships strengthen Connecticut manufacturing

Manufacturers rely on relationships with suppliers, customers, educators and other local businesses to expand capabilities and respond to new opportunities.

After consolidating three facilities into a single 151,000-square-foot location in Deep River, CHAPCO began exploring how to use its additional space for broader collaboration. Its Bridge Innovations concept could become a makerspace, innovation center, incubator or center of excellence for local businesses.

Sound Manufacturing, a third-generation contract manufacturer, has grown from a garage founded in 1985 into a 53-employee sheet metal fabrication business. Its products range from industrial components to the familiar blue boxes used at Walmart checkout lanes.

Sound emphasizes quality, on-time delivery and employee development. Many employees have been with the company for more than 25 years, and partnerships with local manufacturers allow it to access processes and capabilities it does not perform in-house.

These examples illustrate how local supply networks, long-standing relationships and shared resources can help Connecticut manufacturers serve customers and grow their businesses.

Continuous improvement and the challenges ahead

Manufacturers face persistent challenges, particularly recruiting and retaining workers. Operating expenses, including healthcare, can also limit investment in people, equipment and expansion. Companies must balance innovation with quality, cost control and customer expectations.

The tour highlighted practical responses, from Click Bond’s apprenticeship program and Commercial Sewing’s Lean journey to LEX Innovations’ plans to reduce material waste and Birk Manufacturing’s investment in advanced product testing. Each reflects a different way to strengthen operations and prepare for demanding markets.

The conversations also reinforced the value of listening directly to manufacturers, understanding their needs and identifying where support can make a difference.

“The tour gives us the opportunity to hear from manufacturers about what they’re seeing, what they’re navigating, and where they’re headed,” said Beatriz N. Gutierrez, CONNSTEP President & CEO. “Those conversations help us better understand how CONNSTEP can be a meaningful partner in helping manufacturers innovate, adapt, and grow.”

Investing in the future of Connecticut manufacturing

The 2026 Manufacturing Tour showcased the depth and diversity of Connecticut’s manufacturing sector. From specialized components for medical and aerospace applications to automation technologies, engineered materials and everyday products, the state’s manufacturers are solving complex challenges and serving markets around the world.

The tour also highlighted how the industry’s future is taking shape today—in classrooms and technical training programs, through apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, on factory floors, and through partnerships that help businesses improve and grow.

Keeping Connecticut manufacturing competitive will depend on continued investment in technology, workforce development and collaboration. Making the industry’s opportunities more visible is equally important, helping students, job seekers and communities see the range of careers and possibilities it offers.

Ultimately, the tour celebrated more than what Connecticut manufacturers make. It highlighted the people, ingenuity and partnerships behind their success—and the role they will play in strengthening the state’s economy and creating opportunities for the next generation.

CONNSTEP extends its sincere thanks to all the companies, educators and workforce development partners who welcomed tour participants and shared their stories. Their pride, passion and commitment offered an inspiring look at the people and innovation driving Connecticut manufacturing forward.

Explore the people, places and products featured throughout the week in our Flickr gallery of the 2026 Manufacturing Tour.

See you on the road in 2027!