Bus Tour Highlights Connecticut Manufacturing

All this week, the CBIA Foundation is celebrating Manufacturing Month with a unique bus tour designed to raise awareness about the sector’s economic importance and its world-class workforce.  

Today through Oct. 17, the 2025 Manufacturing Tour will visit 20 leading manufacturing organizations, education institutions, and workforce training facilities across Connecticut. 

Manufacturers and key industry stakeholders will hold a news conference today during the stop at Nucor Steel in Wallingford to highlight the tour and the state of manufacturing. 

The news conference begins at 10:30 am ahead of a tour of Nucor’s facility at 35 Toelles Road, Wallingford. 

Speakers include: 

• Chris DiPentima, president and CEO, CBIA 
• Alfredo Esaa, general manager, Nucor Steel  
• Beatriz Gutierrez, president and CEO, CONNSTEP 
• Kirti Patel, chief manufacturing officer, Connecticut Office of Manufacturing

Connecticut has more than 4,500 manufacturers, employs over 153,000 people, and accounts for nearly 12% of the state’s economy.  

Each manufacturing job creates another five jobs in other parts of Connecticut’s economy. 

“These businesses—located in cities and towns in every corner of the state—represent the lifeblood of the state’s economy and their employees make up the fabric of our communities,” said DiPentima.  

“This tour not only showcases some of the state’s top manufacturing facilities but fosters a deeper appreciation of the sector’s contributions to economic development and job creation.” 

The 2025 Manufacturing Tour is presented in partnership between the CBIA Foundation and CONNSTEP.  

Media interested in attending the news conference or any stops on the tour should contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929). 

Note: All times are approximate. Video and photo limitations at some locations. 

Tour Stops

Monday, Oct. 13 

• 8:30-10 am
  • University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Rd., New Haven 
• 10:30 am-12:30 pm
  • Nucor Steel, 35 Toelles Rd., Wallingford 
• 1-2:30 pm
  • Microboard Processing, Inc., 36 Cogwheel Ln., Seymour 
• 3-4:30 pm
  • Marion Manufacturing Company, 1675 Reinhard Rd., Cheshire 

Tuesday, Oct. 14 

• 8:30-10 am
  • Miyoshi America, Inc., 110 Louisa Viens Dr., Dayville 
• 10:30 am-12 pm
  • Impact Plastics, 5 Highland Dr., Putnam 
• 12:30-2:30 pm
  • QVCC Advanced Manufacturing Center, 742 Upper Maple St., Danielson 
• 3-4:30 pm
  • Pursuit Aerospace, 76 County Rd., Eastford 

Wednesday, Oct. 15 

• 8:30-10 am
  • CT State Community College Asnuntuck, 170 Elm St, Enfield 
• 10:30 am-12 pm
  • Aero Gear, Inc., 1050 Day Hill Road, Windsor 
• 12:30-2:30 pm
  • Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense, 640 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury 
• 3-4:30 pm
  • HABCO Industries, 172 Oak St., Glastonbury 

Thursday, Oct. 16 

• 8:30-10 am
  • Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury 
• 10:30 am-12:30 pm
  • Curtis Packaging, 44 Berkshire Rd., Sandy hook 
• 1-2:30 pm
  • OEM Controls, Inc., 10 Controls Dr., Shelton 
• 3-4:30 pm
  • PTA Plastics, 148 Christain St., Oxford 

Friday, Oct. 17 

• 8:30-10 am
  • PeterPaul Electronics, 480 John Downey Dr., New Britain 
• 11 am-12:30 pm
  • Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, 170 Broad St., New London 
• 1-3 pm
  • Whelen Engineering Company, 51 Winthrop Rd., Chester 
• 3:30-5 pm
  • Vinal Technical High School, 60 Daniels St., Middletown

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The CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity is a 501(c)(3) organization created to address the evolving needs of Connecticut’s economy. The foundation’s primary goal is charting a course for sustained economic growth that drives further predictability and greater opportunity for all Connecticut residents. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).

The 2025 Manufacturing Tour is made possible through the generous support of Walmart, Connecticut State Community College, Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, Chelsea Groton Bank, CBIZ, and J. Morrissey, with additional support from Niagara, David Alan Hospitality Group, and Severance Foods.