Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit

Connecticut manufacturers face an ever-shifting economic landscape, navigating seesawing federal trade policies, inflation, a tight labor market, higher capital costs, supply chain risks, and geopolitical disruption. 

How best to transform those challenges into opportunities? 

The October 2 Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit explored the sector’s challenges and opportunities, including growth factors, policy priorities, hiring and investment trends, and the near and long-term outlook. 

State and national experts shared their insights on current issues and trends, with key manufacturing leaders discussing best practices for managing operations amid uncertainty and unexpected turbulence. 

Grant Thornton’s Brad Hulbert discussed the global policy and geopolitical scene with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s John Murphy, reviewing rapidly shifting trade and tariff policy and the implications for manufacturing. 

The summit featured the release of the 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Report and RSM’s Brian Ferguson discussed the findings—and implications—with a panel of manufacturers. 

Sikorsky’s Audrey Brady was joined by key suppliers to share how the Stratford-based helicopter manufacturer is overhauling its supply chain relationships and positioning itself for the future. 

We announced the winner of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge, the U.S. Commercial Service’s Connecticut District Export Council recognized outstanding export contributors, and we presented our annual manufacturing awards. 

AGENDA

7:30 am | Networking Breakfast & Manufacturing Showcase 

8:30 am | Opening Remarks 

• Chris DiPentima, President & CEO, CBIA 
• Steve Moroney, Commercial Market President, Connecticut & Rhode Island, TD Bank 

8:45 am | Trade, Tariffs & the Global Economy 

• Grant Thornton Managing Director Brad Hulbert talks with John Murphy, SVP, Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

9:30 am | 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Report: Results & Insights 

• Moderator: Brian Ferguson, Consulting Sector Leader, Food & Beverage, RSM US 
• Martin Baumann, President, ARBURG, Inc.  
• Molly Kellogg, Chair, President & CEO, Hubbard-Hall, Inc. 
• Nathan Minami, VP & General Manager, Hanwha Aerospace 

10:15 am | Networking Break 

10:35 am | Future Ready: Sikorsky’s Supply Chain Model 

• Audrey Brady, VP, Operations, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company 
• Brian Montanari, President & CEO, HABCO Industries  
• Mike Scotto, VP, Business Development, Alpha Q 
• Justin Wolfanger, President, Triumph Group Operating Company 

11:20 am | FORGE Pitch Fest  

• MC: Trinell Ball, Program Director, FORGE
• Moderator: Scott Longley, Manufacturing Expert-in-Residence, FORGE
• Speaker: Laura Teicher, President & Executive Director, FORGE
• Panelist: Larry Bee, Director of Technical Sales, Proflow – A Division of Burt Process 
• Panelist: Larry Campana, Associate Director, Investments, Connecticut Green Bank
• Panelist: Michelle Cote, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Panelist: Ed Gilchrest, President, Gyre9
• Panelist: Aishwarya Kuruttukulam, Director, ClimateHaven
• Startup Representative: David Dellal, CEO, Floe, Inc. 
• Startup Representative: Jaya Dadwal, Founder, forEVA Health
• Startup Representative: Kevin Gallagher, Founder & Managing Partner, Decarb Energy Partners

12:20 pm | Networking Lunch 

1:20 pm | 2025 Connecticut Export Awards 

• Presented by the Connecticut District Export Council, U.S. Commercial Service, and Shipman & Goodwin

1:35 pm | 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Awards 

• Presented by TD Bank, CONNSTEP, and ReadyCT

1:45 pm | Connecticut Workforce Champion Award

• Presented by the Office of Workforce Strategy

1:50 pm | Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut 

• Presented by CBIA, CONNSTEP, and CLA

2 pm | Manufacturing Showcase & Networking  

2:45 pm | Adjourn