A Letter to the Connecticut Business Community

“CONNSTEP has been at the heart of Connecticut manufacturing, committed to our mission of helping manufacturers achieve their goals and accelerate growth for the last 25 years.”

Beatriz N. Gutierrez, CONNSTEP, President & CEO

While the manufacturing industry has consistently adapted to changes, the last five years stand apart, defined by unforeseen challenges that profoundly impacted businesses. The pandemic disrupted production and forced many companies to re-evaluate their operations. Amid the uncertainty, manufacturers who persevered were met with acute supply chain volatility, soaring costs, and a significant labor shortage fueled by large-scale retirements. In the last year, many have also navigated new regulations and the ever-changing tariffs landscape.

At a time that poses many different challenges, CONNSTEP’s strength lies in our flexibility to respond to the unique needs of our clients. Whether those needs are in technology adoption, workforce development, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity, or continuous improvement, we are there. As a partner, a trusted advisor, and an unbiased resource, we help our manufacturers navigate the complexities of an ever-changing market.

And with challenge comes opportunity.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are ingrained in Connecticut’s DNA. Despite its small size, the state has one of the deepest manufacturing histories in the country, dating back over 200 years. Nicknames such as The Brass City and The Hardware City still reflect the products that historically defined their civic identities. Pioneers like Eli Whitney and Samuel Colt set the stage for modern giants like Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, and Electric Boat to become leaders in national defense.

Thousands of manufacturers call Connecticut home. Many of them are multi-generational, family-owned companies creating vital products, providing careers, and supporting their communities. Hundreds of small and medium-sized manufacturers that are the backbone of the industry make up a robust aerospace and defense supply chain. CONNSTEP is proud to strengthen their resiliency and ensure their continued growth and prosperity.

“I like to say that Connecticut does not have a legacy of manufacturing; Connecticut is manufacturing.”

Beatriz N. Gutierrez, CONNSTEP, President & CEO

Growing up in Colombia, my curiosity about how things were made led me to the United States to pursue a degree in engineering. Early in my career, I learned an important lesson: No matter the product, success is all about the people and delivering on promises. This realization helped me understand small businesses better, teaching me the importance of knowing a customer’s individual needs to deliver the right solution.

I have strived to live that principle in every position I’ve held since. As the executive director of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Business Development during COVID, I was part of the coordinated effort to get the state’s manufacturers what they needed to stay open. After that experience, I knew my next step had to be working directly on their behalf. I wanted to use my background in engineering and manufacturing, coupled with experience in product management, marketing, and international business development, all grounded in lean and quality principles, to help small manufacturers solve complicated problems.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be doing that every day at CONNSTEP.

We have the best-equipped team to help our manufacturers because they not only know what needs to be done, they have done it. With decades of combined industry experience, each understands the intricacies of a manufacturing operation.

And with rapid advancements in digital transformation, energy efficiencies, cybersecurity regulations, and advanced manufacturing, we are committed to staying ahead. We are bolstering our organization by bringing in new team members with additional, specialized skillsets, ensuring our team can continue to advise and inform manufacturers on these emerging challenges.

Across our organization, we live by “The CONNSTEP Way.” This set of core values is the foundation for how we operate. We believe our collaborative and empathetic approach is the key to going beyond simply delivering project results; it ensures that meaningful changes are successfully implemented and that our clients feel continuously supported throughout their journey and well into the future. CONNSTEP is grateful for the support we have around us.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are fortunate to have strong partnerships with both the state and federal governments, originally getting our start as a tech transfer program at UConn through the DECD.

Our manufacturing ecosystem has helped grow CONNSTEP into what it is today. Partnerships with our academic institutions (like UConn, Central Connecticut State University, and our community colleges), DECD, the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and CCAT, have created a network for manufacturers to gain access to the financial, academic, technical, and legislative resources they need to reach their goals.

In 2018, CONNSTEP, CBIA, and ReadyCT formed a strategic alliance to strengthen Connecticut businesses and residents. By combining our expertise and resources, we provide effective solutions for the biggest challenges facing businesses today: building a skilled workforce, driving growth, and staying competitive.

In early October, CBIA and CONNSTEP launched the CBIA Manufacturing Coalition, a collaborative initiative uniting manufacturers and industry leaders to address challenges, amplify the industry’s voice, and expand growth opportunities.

CONNSTEP has been on a journey of continuous improvement. Like the manufacturers we serve, CONNSTEP has grown, adapted, and transformed to better reflect our communities, and this dedication to growth is what enables us to move forward.

We have an incredible team that lives our mission each day, and their success is built upon the hard work and vision of every employee who has walked through CONNSTEP’s doors.

A few weeks ago, we said goodbye to our dedicated colleague and deeply cherished friend, Jack Crane, who passed away after a battle with cancer.

At 92, Jack worked with clients until his final days, an ultimate example of perseverance and adaptation. He entered the workforce before computers, automation, and robotics transformed how we work and live. Constantly learning and teaching throughout his career, Jack was dedicated to supporting STEM education and worked tirelessly to help startups succeed. His mentorship guided countless colleagues and helped to innovate the company’s operations.

For the next 25 years and beyond, CONNSTEP will embody Jack’s spirit: learning, moving forward, and always committed to advancing our mission-helping manufacturers thrive, be resilient, and prepared for whatever the future holds.

Thank you to the Hartford Business Journal for providing a premier platform to spotlight the work we are proud to do every day on behalf of our state’s vibrant manufacturing community.

See the full issue and our feature including a letter from our President and CEO, Beatriz N. Gutierrez.