CBIA and CONNSTEP Announce Affiliation

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the state’s largest business organization, and CONNSTEP, a leading business consulting firm, today announced a formal partnership effective July 1, 2018.
The affiliation of CBIA and CONNSTEP represents a fresh opportunity for both organizations to work collaboratively with manufacturers, broaden efforts to meet their needs, and bolster the advancement of the industry in Connecticut.
“The combining of two strong organizations that assist manufacturing in different ways will allow us to better support this industry sector, particularly at a time when we’re seeing a resurgence of manufacturing activity here in Connecticut,” said CBIA president and CEO Joe Brennan.
“By joining forces, we will provide the manufacturing community with the full range of products and services that CBIA and CONNSTEP offer and do so in a much more efficient and cost-effective way.”
“We work to strengthen manufacturing in the state, helping businesses achieve improved outcomes with strategies to best respond to fluctuating market conditions and customer demands,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Bonnie Del Conte.
“We see this as a blending of people and an alignment of purpose to create meaningful synergies that better serve the needs of Connecticut manufacturers.”
There are over 4,000 manufacturers in Connecticut employing over 160,000 people. Manufacturing has been a bright spot in the state’s economy, adding over 4,000 jobs during the last 18 months.
“Leveraging the combined organizational strengths of CBIA and CONNSTEP will provide many more business-building opportunities to manufacturers in the state,” said Brian Montanari, president and CEO of HABCO Industries.
“Their partnership will help serve companies as they strive to grow their business, meet workforce demands, and become more competitive.”
“As a manufacturer, I’m excited for the new opportunities that this partnership will bring,” said Chris DiPentima, president of Pegasus Manufacturing in Middletown.
“The industry is growing, demand is up, and having CBIA and CONNSTEP working closely together in the manufacturing sector’s best interests will only help drive greater investment and growth here in Connecticut.”
As an affiliate of CBIA, CONNSTEP will retain its brand and relocate its corporate office and staff from Rocky Hill to CBIA’s headquarters in downtown Hartford.

About CBIA

CBIA is the leading voice for business in the state, representing thousands of member companies, small and large, across a diverse range of industries, fighting to make Connecticut a top state for business, jobs, and economic growth: driving change, shaping legislative and regulatory policy, and promoting collaboration between the private and public sectors.
For more information, please email or call Meaghan MacDonald (860.244.1957).

About CONNSTEP

CONNSTEP is a consulting firm helping companies in Connecticut to strategically grow their businesses and improve operational methodologies, leading to increased profitability, higher productivity, and creating sustainable competitive advantages in the marketplace.