CONNSTEP Newsletter | August 2025

2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Challenge

Voting begins August 21st!

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut is back!

After Electric Boat’s Virginia-Class submarine won the inaugural challenge last year, 16 different products are vying to be crowned the coolest thing made in Connecticut.

The 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut—led by the CBIA Foundation— celebrates the successes of the state’s vital manufacturing industry and highlights the wide range of products produced by our world-class, highly skilled workforce.

View here: https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/coolest-thing-made-in-connecticut-2025

Building from Within: Forum Plastics’ Investment in Supervisory Training

Appreciating the importance of cultivating and retaining a skilled workforce, Forum Plastics strategically invests in its internal talent by broadening their knowledge base and further developing their skills.

They understand the pivotal role of effective managers in driving organizational value and significantly boosting team performance.

Learn More: https://www.connstep.org/case-study/building-from-within-forum-plastics-investment-in-supervisory-training/

Recent Blogs

CONNSTEP Announces the Election of New Board Members

CONNSTEP is pleased to announce the election of three new members to its board of directors, whose diverse insights will help further the organization’s mission as a trusted advisor and resource to Connecticut’s small and medium-sized manufacturers…..

Read this blog: https://www.connstep.org/news-media/news/connstep-welcomes-new-board-members/

The Urgent Reality of Cyber Threats and Manufacturing

Cyber threats are a constant and evolving danger for businesses of all sizes.

The manufacturing industry, particularly smaller manufacturers with valuable data and often limited defenses, is the number one target for cyberattacks across all sectors.

A critical, often unseen, risk is that cyber attackers may already be lurking within company systems, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

This pervasive threat raises a crucial question for every business leader: Is your organization truly protected?….

Read this blog: https://www.connstep.org/news-media/news/the-urgent-reality-of-cyber-threats-and-manufacturing/

Related article: Connecticut Launches Grant Program to Help Manufacturers Tackle Federal Cybersecurity Compliance

Upcoming Events

Training

Lean for Manufacturers 

A one-day comprehensive introduction to core Lean principles and practices.

Date: Thursday, September 18

Time: 8:30 am-3:30pm

Location: Cromwell

Training

Supervisor Bootcamp

An immersive workshop on becoming an effective and successful supervisor.

Date: Fridays, September 19-October 31

Time: 8 am-12 noon

Location: MASC, Waterbury

Training

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 (CMMC) Bootcamp

An in-depth dive into mastering CMMC requirements implementation.

Date: Thursdays, October 2-October 30

Time: 8:30 am-12 noon

Location: Windsor

Training

Supply Chain Champion Program 

A two-day program that provides a comprehensive overview of key strategies and tools.

 Date: Friday, November 7 & 14

Time: 8 am-4 pm

Location: Mystic

More Upcoming Events

• Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce: Annual Policy Summit | Date: 8/27 Time: 3 pm-6 pm
• SMARTE Series: Autonomous Mobile Robots in Manufacturing | Date: 9/24 Time: 1 pm-3 pm
• Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum | Date: 9/11 Time: 7:30 am-3:30 pm
• WiM Connecticut | CONNverge 2025 | Date: 9/12 Time: 11:30 am-4 pm
• Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit | Date: 10/2 Time: 8:30 am-2:45 pm
• ACM’s Aerospace Alley® Tradeshow | Date: 10/30 Time: 1 pm-5 pm

Manufacturing News

• Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut 2025 Kicks Off 
• What Would It Take to Reshore Manufacturing in the U.S.? 
• CMMC: What Contractors Need to Know, Assessment Preparation
• 46 Inspiring Connecticut STEM Leaders Selected as 2025 Women of Innovation® Finalists
• Tactical Strategies for a Stronger, Smarter Supply Chain
• CCSU launches new robotics apprenticeship in partnership with industry
• LinkedIn Cities on the Rise 2025: The 25 fastest-growing U.S. metros for jobs and new talent
• America’s Top States for Business 2025: The full rankings 
• 3 Ways Manufacturers Do More With Less 
• Smart AI Use Is About Understanding the Tools, Then Using Them Strategically 
• Industry 5.0? Getting People Back into the Loop: Production Pulse 

Manufacturing Resources

CT SMARTE

Connecticut Smart Manufacturing Assessment & Access to Reduce Technology Emissions (CT SMARTE) is a free pilot program designed to accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing and High-Performance Computing technologies for CT small and mid-sized manufacturers to reduce their energy consumption and advance manufacturing. 

The application is quick and free to complete. Key benefits: energy savings, smart manufacturing access support, HPC-based modeling, workforce training, and access to customized tools.

Capstone Projects

Each year, dozens of manufacturing companies present engineering schools in Connecticut universities with design challenges they encounter in their business. Students research and analyze the problem, and typically end up with a solution—a design, a model, a working prototype.

Ideally, it’s a win-win for the company and the students: the company has their problem solved and students get hands-on experience problem solving.

CONNSTEP will coordinate the connection between the manufacturer and the university, and assist the process as needed.

Master Digital Thread Manufacturing
Unlock your potential at the cutting-edge Digital Thread Manufacturing Lab.

Grants 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

• Career ConneCT
• CBIA
• CCAT
• Connecticut Manufacturing Ambassadors
• CONNEX Connecticut
• Connecticut Office of Manufacturing
• FORGE Connecticut
• Manufacturing Skills for Connecticut
  

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