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Sponsored by: CONNSTEP
May 6, 2025 Business Profiles 2025

CONNSTEP

As a trusted advisor driving growth and operational excellence for more than 25 years, CONNSTEP stands as Connecticut’s leading manufacturing consulting firm, empowering small and medium-sized manufacturers to achieve their business goals in an evolving landscape.

What is now CONNSTEP, began as the State Technology Extension Program (STEP) at UConn in 1994.

Today, CONNSTEP supports manufacturers across Connecticut, providing them with the tools for success through its vast network of local and national partners.

“Our small manufacturers face a wide range of operational challenges, such as securing capital, building a skilled workforce, and adopting new technologies,” said Beatriz N. Gutierrez, CONNSTEP president and CEO.

“As their trusted advisor, our vision is to help them reach their goals by deploying our technical resources and connecting them to partners and services that can support them in their growth journey.”

The question, ‘What keeps you up at night?’, consistently highlights the common challenges manufacturers face, reinforcing CONNSTEP’s understanding of their unique needs.

CONNSTEP guides manufacturers through the complexities of talent acquisition and development, managing supply chains, enhancing technology readiness, growing revenue and market share, and mitigating risks.

Their team of trusted advisors and subject matter experts partners with businesses, providing customized solutions, process management, and continuous support throughout their journeys.

Over the decades, CONNSTEP has consistently evolved, strategically anticipating and meeting the rapid technological shifts in manufacturing.

While maintaining a strong foundation in lean principles and quality standards, they are now at the forefront, empowering businesses to confidently navigate critical shifts like AI integration, cyber threat protection, smart manufacturing implementation, supply chain resilience, and the ongoing labor crisis, driving transformative change for their clients.

To achieve their mission, the 30-person CONNSTEP team, led by Gutierrez, embodies ‘The CONNSTEP Way,’ a philosophy and practice built on genuine partnerships.

Collaborative problem-solvers, results-driven in their pursuit of client success, and versatile in adapting to challenges, the CONNSTEP team approaches every interaction with empathy.

They are growth-oriented, continually seeking improvement, and have the specialized knowledge to provide expert guidance leading to measurable impacts.

Fostering a sense of family within their team and with their clients, they pride themselves on growing and nurturing relationships, ensuring reliable, consistent support, and long-term success.

As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, CONNSTEP reports client project metrics to the U.S. Department of Commerce to demonstrate its impact on Connecticut manufacturing’s growth and success.

In fiscal year 2024, CONNSTEP’s client surveys revealed a powerful impact on the state’s economy, driving $220.5 million in increased and retained sales, $27.4 million in new investments, $9.4 million in cost savings, and the creation or retention of 1,060 jobs.

These results resonate far beyond numbers; they are the tangible representations of prosperity, creating thriving families through fulfilling careers, fostering dynamic workforces, and propelling businesses toward a future brimming with opportunity.

“Our clients’ success is the key measure of our impact on the manufacturing industry,” said Gutierrez. “We are extremely proud of our track record over the past 25 years and look forward to continuing to support the industry for decades to come.”

ADDRESS: 350 CHURCH ST., HARTFORD, CT 06103


PHONE: (860) 513-3200


WEBSITE: WWW.CONNSTEP.ORG


TOP EXECUTIVE: BEATRIZ N. GUTIERREZ, PRESIDENT
AND CEO


PRODUCT OR SERVICE: MANUFACTURING CONSULTING


NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 30


YEAR FOUNDED: 1995