‘On the Floor:’ Tour Showcases Connecticut Manufacturing

For one week each October, business leaders and public officials step away from their daily routines to get an up-close look at the manufacturers, employees, schools, and workforce organizations driving Connecticut manufacturing.

The CBIA Foundation’s third annual Manufacturing Tour crisscrossed the state Oct. 12-16 in a hard-to-miss bus emblazoned with its signature Made in Connecticut stamp and What Will You Make? tagline.

“This tour has truly become one of my favorite times of the year,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

“It gets us all out of our offices and literally onto the manufacturing floor to see what our great manufacturers and their world-class workforces are doing.”

Produced by the foundation in collaboration with CBIA affiliate CONNSTEP, the tour visited 15 manufacturers and five workforce development organizations across Connecticut.

Vital Industry

From aerospace and medical technology to specialty chemicals, industrial equipment, textiles, and advanced materials, this year’s tour highlighted the breadth and diversity of Connecticut manufacturing.

The tour showcased the vital role the sector plays in the state’s economy and communities while giving policymakers, educators, business leaders, and other stakeholders an inside look at modern manufacturing.

Manufacturing is a critical economic sector for Connecticut, generating 11% of the state’s GDP and supporting more than 156,000 jobs.

“We’re blessed to be able to hear directly from manufacturers—what they’re seeing, the challenges they face, and the different things that make them really position their company for growth,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez.

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development deputy commissioner Kirti Patel called the tour an opportunity to celebrate “the success of Connecticut’s manufacturing community.”

“Connecticut’s manufacturers compete confidently on design ingenuity, engineering and manufacturing excellence, precision, quality, productivity, and agility.”

Monday, Oct. 12

The tour kicked off Monday in Berlin at AVNA Inc.

Leaders discussed the company’s production of medical device components and assemblies and the role engineering and automation play in bringing new products to market.

Founded in 1911, the company employs more than 350 people at its facility in Berlin and its New Britain Headquarters.

“Connecticut’s rich manufacturing heritage, skilled workforce, and spirit of innovation make it the ideal home for AVNA,” said AVNA CEO Jason Howey.

“We’re proud to grow our business here while creating opportunities, supporting our communities, and helping customers bring critical medical technologies to market.”

From there, the group traveled to ebm-papst in Farmington.

“ebm-papst is proud to be part of this great manufacturing landscape we have here in Connecticut,” global head of regulatory and public affairs Mark Shiring said during a news conference to help kick off the tour.

With more than 500 employees, ebm-papst has called Connecticut home for 45 years and is currently planning to expand its R&D capabilities.

The company manufactures fans, motors, and other air-moving technologies used in applications ranging from data centers and telecommunications equipment to cooling and ventilation systems.

Tour participants learned how products manufactured in Connecticut support critical infrastructure in industries across the globe.

“Anywhere you need high efficiency fans and motors applied, that is where you’re going to find our products,” Shiring said.

The tour’s next stop was TRUMPF’s Farmington facility, where the company’s advanced manufacturing expertise produces innovative cutting, bending, and welding machines and automation components used by a wide range of industries.

TRUMPF has been in Farmington since 1969, expanding its presence more than 10 times.

Today, its campus has grown to 500,000 square feet with nearly 900 employees.

“TRUMPF and Connecticut share a long history and commitment to innovative and precision manufacturing,” said TRUMPF, Inc. president and CEO Lutz Labisch.

“Our employees carry on the industrial heritage, culture of innovation, and dedication to craftsmanship found across Connecticut’s manufacturing industries.”

Day one ended with a visit to the CT State Tunxis Advanced Manufacturing Center in Farmington.

Tunxis’ 10-month Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology Certificate prepares students to begin their careers through hands-on training in areas like CNC programming, blueprint reading, metrology, CAD/CAM, and quality control.

The program welcomed its first cohort in Fall 2025 with a maximum 16 students.

Since then, it has grown to offer first- and second-semester cohorts while also expanding evening course options for working adults and other students.

CT State leaders say that through career pathways and employer partnerships, the program helps “Connecticut residents develop in-demand skills while supporting employers’ workforce needs.”

Tuesday, Oct. 13

Tuesday’s tour began with a look at a unique partnership between Derby High School and CT State Housatonic.

Their College Connections program gives high school students early exposure to manufacturing through hands-on learning from CT State faculty right on their high school campus.

Students who complete the program get a head start on their manufacturing career, needing only one additional semester at the Housatonic Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center to earn their certificate.

“It’s a great opportunity to get started early,” one of the program graduates said. “It really teaches you a lot.”

“Even if you don’t see yourself going into engineering in the future, you can find a lot of positives.”

Tour participants next visited LEX Innovations in Shelton.

LEX designs and manufactures power distribution and lighting systems used in demanding environments across entertainment, industrial, defense, and emergency applications.

Launched in 1989 as Lex Products, the company rebranded as LEX Innovations in 2026, reflecting its expansion into new technologies.

The company employs approximately 130 people in Connecticut.

“Connecticut has provided Lex Innovations with a strong foundation for growing our business,” said CEO Jim Binch.

“The state offers access to a highly skilled workforce, a rich manufacturing and engineering heritage, and a business community that values innovation.”

From there, the tour stopped at Modern Plastics in Shelton.

The company is a plastics distributor but largely fabricates and machines high-performance plastic components used in medical devices, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and energy applications.

Operating in Connecticut for more than 80 years, Modern Plastics employs about 35 people.

The company prides itself on its customer service and reputation for quality.

“I manage the business. Our customers run our business,” said president Bing Carbone.

Day two wrapped up at QTL Lighting, a family-run manufacturer in Milford.

The company designs, engineers, and manufactures architectural LED lighting fixtures and power supplies.

The company’s products can be found everywhere from Grand Sentral Terminal and Citi Field to commercial buildings, restaurants, and residences.

Incorporated in 1993, QTL, formerly Q-Tran, continues to expand, recently migrating a satellite office from California to its Milford headquarters.

“We consider Connecticut our home,” said VP of business development Hunter Tremaine.

“It has been for generations, and my family has built things here for over a hundred years. This is where we do our best work and where we intend to stay.” 

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Wednesday began at MATCH, the Manufacturing and Technical Community Hub in New Haven.

Tour participants learned about how the organization’s paid manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program is opening doors to career opportunities to young people and individuals facing barriers to employment.

Working directly with manufacturers, MATCH trains participants in machining, welding, quality control, and workplace readiness while helping connect them with employment opportunities.

“By bringing manufacturers, educators, and community partners together, we’re creating real pathways to opportunity while building the skilled workforce our state needs to remain competitive,” said chair Marcia LaFemina.

“That’s what MATCH is all about.” 

The second stop of the day was at Medtronic in North Haven—one of the state’s leading medical technology manufacturers.

The North Haven campus is home to more than 2,700 employees working on cutting-edge technologies to improve patient outcomes.

The campus serves as the global hub for Medtronic’s robotics, sutures, specialty needles, and stapling devices.

The surgical products the company manufacturers are used by healthcare providers and patients around the world.

At Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals in Wallingford, employees are producing precision metals used in medical, aerospace, automotive, energy, and industrial applications.

The fourth-generation family-owned company has operating since 1924, growing from a local scrap-metal business to a global manufacturer with nearly 300 employees.

“Generations of employees in Connecticut have helped Ulbrich grow into the company it is today,” said CEO John Ulbrich.

“Their skill, dedication, and commitment to our customers have been central to our success.”

Wednesday’s tour ended at BYK USA in Wallingford.

The company manufactures specialty chemical additives that improve product performance in applications ranging from coatings and plastics to industrial manufacturing.

BYK employs 210 people in Connecticut with the Wallingford location serving as the company’s North American headquarters since 1981.

Participants learned how the company focuses on research, product development, and sustainability.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Day four of the Manufacturing Tour began in Watertown at Click Bond.

The company produces precision deep-drawn metal components used in aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial applications.

Founded in 1987 in Carson City, NV, Click Bond acquired its Watertown facility in 2008.

Today, the company employs more than 100 people in Connecticut.

The tour then stopped at Commercial Sewing, a family-owned manufacturer producing covers and accessories for the marine and powersports industries.

Since its founding 59 years ago, the company has expanded its Torrington location five times, currently employing 132 people.

“We have grown up in Connecticut,” said vice president of operations Stephen Mazzarelli. “The best part about being in Connecticut is the dedicated employees.  We would not be successful without them.”

At Oliver Wolcott Tech in Torrington, tour participants learned how school leaders combine traditional academics with hands-on career-focused learning.

Part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, Wolcott Tech offers 12 career and technical education programs that prepare students for college, apprenticeships, military, or manufacturing careers.

Wolcott Tech offers 12 career and technical education programs.

Those programs include everything from precision machining to mechanical engineering, and robotics and automation.

Thursday’s tour rounded out at Wittmann USA in Torrington.

The company manufactures robots, injection molding machines, automation systems, and material-handling equipment serving the plastics-processing industry.

Since opening the Torrington facility in 1989, the company has expanded several times and now employs 127 people in Connecticut.

Wittman USA manufactures robots, injection molding machines, automation systems, and material-handling equipment.

“Wittmann chose Connecticut for its manufacturing location over 20 years ago because of its east coast location for its easy international freight logistics, for its talent pool of engineers and technical trade education programs nearby,” said president Sonny Morneault.

Friday, Oct. 16

The final day of the Manufacturing Tour started at Chapco, Inc. in Deep River.

Chapco is a contract manufacturer specializing in precision sheet metal fabrication, machining and product assembly for the defense, data center, commercial, and industrial markets.

The company has been part of Connecticut manufacturing since 1964.

Chpaco moved to a new 151,000 square foot facility in Deep River earlier this year.

In 2026, the company and its more than 60 employees moved from three facilities in Chester to a new 151,000 square foot facility in Deep River.

“Our move from Chester to Deep River this year was a small step for our staff, but a giant leap for Chapco,” said president and CEO Brian Weinstein.

“It shows how committed we are to growing right here. The state has a deep manufacturing tradition, a skilled workforce, and a defense industrial base we’re proud to support.”

At Westbrook High School, partnerships with manufacturers like The Lee Company, Alta Vision, Inc. and General Dynamics Electric Boat help expand opportunities in welding, metals fabrication, robotics, and work-based learning.

The school has emphasized career pathways for all students since the 2020-2021 school year.

Westbrook High partners with manufacturers to expand opportunities in welding, metals fabrication, robotics, and work-based learning.

School leaders outlined how industry partnerships are helping students explore manufacturing careers and develop skills that employers need.

“By supporting classroom instruction in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and welding with hands-on work-based learning experiences, we are empowering our students with real-world skills while actively building Connecticut’s next generation of the manufacturing workforce,” said Westbrook Public Schools superintendent Dr. Kristina Martineau.

Participants then visited Birk Manufacturing in East Lyme.

The company’s 190 employees produce thermal heating devices used in a variety of high-performance applications.

Founded in 1989, the company has grown from a garage startup in Stonington to a manufacturer serving the medical, aerospace, semiconductor, and security industries.

Birk Manufacturing has grown from garage startup to serving the medical, aerospace, semiconductor, and security industries.

“Manufacturing is part of Connecticut’s DNA, and that’s why Birk Manufacturing continues to invest and grow here,” company leaders said.

“Connecticut provides the talent, partnerships, and resources that enable us to deliver high-performance thermal solutions to customers around the world.”

The tour’s final stop of the week took the bus to Sound Manufacturing in Old Saybrook.

The company’s 50 employees manufacture precision sheet metal and CNC-machined components used in robotics, automation equipment, data centers, and other industries.

Sound Manufacturing also produces commercial leaf and debris vacuums through its Monster Power Equipment division.

“With three generations of family in the shop, we are still building parts in Connecticut and building the next generation of makers to run them,” said president and COO John Vallieres.

Sound Manufacturing makes precision sheet metal and CNC-machined components used in robotics, automation equipment, data centers, and other industries.

Over five days, tour participants saw firsthand the products, technology, and talent driving Connecticut manufacturing today and into the future.

As the bus returned home Friday afternoon, the message of the week was clear—Connecticut’s manufacturing sector continues to innovate, invest, and create opportunities across the state.

“It’s great to be a part of an event that gives them the recognition they so much deserve,” said ASG Information Technologies strategic advisor Heather Abel, a sponsor of this year’s tour.

---

The 2026 Connecticut Manufacturing Tour was presented by the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity, in partnership with the CBIA Manufacturing Coalition and CONNSTEP, and made possible through the generous support of the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Manufacturing, ASG, CBIZ, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense, and UHY.