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.