CONNSTEP Newsletter | September 2025

Voting Is Open for 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

“Connecticut has an incredible tradition of innovation, and this competition is a perfect way to recognize all those companies that are making the coolest things in the world,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez.

“Not only is this an opportunity to celebrate and take pride in what we make, but it allows us to look into the future of what we’re going to be making here in Connecticut.”

This year’s bracket features products and companies from across the state, from aerospace and shipbuilding, to medical, food, and consumer goods. The field will be narrowed down each week until the winner is crowned at the Oct. 2 Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit.

Learn More: What’s the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut?

Specialty Cable Manufacturer’s Commitment to Quality Earns AS9100 Recertification

As part of the company’s commitment to its customers and the continuous improvement of its Business Management System, Specialty Cable Corporation needed to conduct its yearly Internal Quality Audit in preparation for its AS9100D certification audit.

Maintaining AS9100D certification can help organizations improve quality, streamline processes, and gain credibility with customers and regulators.

SCC sought an outside auditor to perform its IQA to ensure its Quality Management System aligned with the aerospace sector’s stringent quality and safety standards.

Company leadership recognized that this evaluation of their internal control processes was crucial for both internal and future client growth.

Learn More: Specialty Cable Manufacturer’s Commitment to Quality Earns AS9100 Recertification

Engineering Efficiency: Sonitek’s Lean Journey with CONNSTEP

A Lean Continuous Improvement journey is unique for every company. It takes time and dedication. For Paul Denton, Engineering Manager of Sonitek in Milford, creative thinking helped him discover where lean principles could be applied in the information space to drive efficiency.

Designed to help manufacturers streamline workflows and eliminate waste, CONNSTEP’s Continuous Improvement Champions Certification goes beyond the classroom, offering participants like Paul personalized mentoring and a customized approach to help them achieve their continuous improvement goals.

Learn More: Engineering Efficiency: Sonitek’s Lean Journey with CONNSTEP

Upcoming Events

Webinar

CONNSTEP’s Upcoming Training & Events 2025-26 

Join the CONNSTEP Webinar Series for free monthly webinars, created to help inform manufacturers on many different industry topics.

Date: Thursday, September 18

Time: 11:30 am-12 noon

Location: Online

Workshop

Powering Profits: A Free Breakfast & Energy Solutions Workshop 

Join us for a complimentary breakfast and an insightful workshop designed to help your business navigate rising energy costs.

Date: Thursday, September 18

Time: 9am-11am

Location: Cromwell

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: Rocky Hill

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

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

September

• Central CT Chambers of Commerce BrewFest Weekend | Date: 9/5-6 Time: 5pm-11pm
• CBIA Health Connections Webinar: Is a Level-Funded Health Plan Right for Your Business? | Date: 9/11 Time: 1pm-2pm 
• Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum | Date: 9/11 Time: 7:30am-3:30pm
• WiM Connecticut | CONNverge 2025 | Date: 9/12 Time: 11:30am-4pm
• CBIA Foundation Family Polo Day | Date: 9/20 Time: 4pm-6:30pm
• SMARTE Series: Autonomous Mobile Robots in Manufacturing | Date: 9/24 Time: 1pm-3pm
• Cyber & Cider: Fall Into Security with Vancord | Date: 9/24 Time: 5pm-7pm
• SMA 5th Annual Cornhole Tournament | Date: 9/24 Time: 4:30pm-8pm 
• ReadyCT Manufacturing Roadshow | Date: 9/25 Time: 8:30am-12:30pm 
• ManufactureCT Annual Golf Outing | Date: 9/29 Time: 11am-8pm



October

• Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit | Date: 10/2 Time: 8:30am-2:45 pm
• Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce TDL Expo & Career Fair | Date: 10/1 Time: 9am-2pm
• Central CT Chambers of Commerce Startup Panel | Date: 10/9 Time: 5pm-7pm
• ManufactureCT Annual Celebration | Date: 10/15 Time: 5pm-8:30pm
• WPS + UConn + NRWIB Robotics Event | Date: 10/21 Time: 5pm-7pm
• CBIA Employment Law Conference | Date: 10/21 Time: 8:30am-3:15pm
• Women’s Business Development Council Annual Gala & Awards Celebration | Date: 10/24 Time: 11am-2:15pm
• CPES 2025 Fall Conference: The Future of Energy | Date: 10/30 Time: 8:30am-4 pm
• ACM’s Aerospace Alley® Tradeshow | Date: 10/30 Time: 1pm-5pm

Manufacturing News

• AI in the Factory: What Manufacturers Must Consider
• High School Students Showcase Real-World Skills
• The Tariff Effect: Taking Charge as Labor Markets Evolve
• Connecticut Small Businesses Among Leading AI Adopters
• Industry 5.0 and Coexisting with AI
• CT manufacturer joins elite group of companies that have landed on the moon
• CT manufacturing group to buy U.K.-based casting company
• Barnes Aerospace makes East Hartford acquisition
• Looming October CMMC Deadline Is America’s Y2K Moment
• 6 Steps to More Efficient Supply Chains
• SBA Opens Nominations for 2026 National Small Business Week Awards
• 5 Essential Elements Shared by Leading Supplier Quality Management Systems
• GE Appliances Practices Lean Technology Strategy
• Cutting Security Costs, Not Corners, in Manufacturing
• Why OT Management Is Manufacturing’s Next Frontier
• NIST Awards Over $1.8 Million to Small Businesses Advancing AI, Semiconductors, Additive Manufacturing and More

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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