CBIA BizCast: Making Manufacturing Cool

“Leaning into how we can fundamentally transform lives and make them better, has been something I’ve been personally passionate about,” CliftonLarsonAllen’s strategic pursuits leader for manufacturing Jennifer Clement said about why she loves working with manufacturers. 

Clement and CLA New England Manufacturing Growth Network Leader Stephen Fuller joined the CBIA BizCast to highlight the company’s work in this major industry sector. 

With 130 offices nationwide, including three in Connecticut, CLA provides accounting, tax, outsourcing, and assurance services for a variety of industries including manufacturing.

“I explored different industries and just clung to manufacturing, probably because it was just cool,” Fuller said.

“Seeing a tangible thing created, and seeing those things created in Connecticut just made it more special to me.”

Fuller said that as a Connecticut native, he’s passionate about seeing manufacturers in the state succeed. 

“This evolving industry within Connecticut has been there for a number of years, and that just means a lot,” he said.

Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

Fuller and Clement also shared their excitement with CLA’s support of the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge. 

Starting with 16 things made by Connecticut manufacturers, companies will compete head-to-head with residents voting on their favorite products in each round.

The CBIA Foundation is leading the initiative in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing and CONNSTEP.

“What a great way to promote what we do in Connecticut.”

CLA’s Stephen Fuller

“What a great way to promote what we do in Connecticut, not only for ourselves, but for the rest of the nation,” Fuller said. 

“I mean, there’s some really, really cool stuff that we do.”

Clement, who is based in CLA’s Milwaukee office, said Wisconsin has had a similar competition for the past eight years.

“It is a frenzy each year,” she said. “So far over the eight-year span, we’ve had over a million people voting for these products.

Overcoming Challenges

Clement said manufacturers across the country and in Connecticut are all dealing with challenges including softening demand, labor, and inventory. 

She said they work with businesses to help shore up their bottom line.

“We’re seeing a renewed effort and emphasis on profitability,” she said. “And what can we do in the short term to look at our cost structure.”

“I think it’s more about educating the manufacturers about what is out there.”

Fuller

Fuller said there are a number of state programs available to help manufacturers with job retention and growth, training, and tax incentives surrounding R&D and capital investments.

“There’s a number of things that manufacturers specifically can utilize,” he said. 

“I think it’s more about educating the manufacturers about what is out there.”

Next Generation

Fuller noted that when it comes to growing the manufacturing workforce, it’s not just about recruiting, but also retaining workers.

“There’s this generational mind shift of what is important to this newer class of workers,” he said. 

“I think that’s extremely important for manufacturers and companies across Connecticut to understand what makes them tick, and to work with them to develop programs that retain them.”

“We’ve got to think about how we now transform the lives of especially the younger workforce.”

CLA’s Jennifer Clement

Clement and Fuller said that many manufacturers are also looking to new technologies like AI to improve things like efficiency and predictive capabilities as well as attracting and retaining workers. 

“We’ve got to think about how we now transform the lives of especially the younger workforce,” Clement said. “Manufacturing is seeing the same thing.”

“I think manufacturers understand the importance of all of this,” Fuller added. 

“What we’re starting to see is the understanding that it’s time. It’s time for that shift, and to have that investment in the future.”

Clement noted that their remarks are not intended to be legal, financial advice, or accounting advice.

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