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April 2, 2021

New manufacturing partnership aims to boost industry

PHOTO | File image Young manufacturing workers in Connecticut are earning higher wages compared to their counterparts in many other industries.

The South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership launched in March with a goal of growing and supporting the manufacturing industry in the South-Central region of Connecticut.

The partnership was created in response to the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council’s prioritization of regional sector partnerships as a way to harness the economic power of critical jobs sectors and better coordinate public support.

Four industry co-chairs will lead the effort, including: Chris Dimou, president and CEO of Roto Frank of America Inc.; Marcia LaFemina, president of PennGlobe/PennSMART; Chris Ulbrich, CEO of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals Inc.; and Asi Carmeli, director of human resources of Hobson & Motzer Inc.

Senior manufacturing executives from Middlesex and New Haven Counties recently met virtually to kick off this industry-led group. 

The business leaders identified the following top opportunities and drivers of manufacturing growth in the region:

  • Harnessing the diversity of manufacturing in South Central Connecticut by building on its existing strength as aircraft center of the world and capturing new growth opportunities;
  • Advancing industry 4.0 technologies to improve competitiveness, address workforce shortages, and upskill manufacturing workers;
  • Promoting Connecticut manufacturing as an industry to state political leaders, as a career path to students and parents, and as a desirable location for skilled labor from other states;
  • Making Connecticut a more attractive place to do business by collectively tackling issues that are related to the cost of doing business; and
  • Improving coordination between industry and public partners including increasing awareness of public programs among manufacturers and incentivizing better use of existing programs, speeding up the degree process, and identifying skills gaps across manufacturing occupations.

The partnership will reconvene within the next month to refine their priority areas, including identifying measurable outcomes and first actions.

Both public and non-profit stakeholders are involved in the effort and will provide input on the priorities and action areas identified by the partnership.

“The momentum for manufacturing in the state is growing, but we need to address fundamental challenges such as an aging workforce, attracting the younger generation into manufacturing, and applying new technologies,” Dimou said in an announcement. “In order to reach our potential, we need to apply a collaborative approach between industry, colleges, chambers and the state, therefore, I applaud this effort to bring these diverse stakeholders together."

For more information on the partnership, contact Jeff Pugliese at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce at jeffrey@middlesexchamber.com.

For more information on Next Generation Sector Partnerships, please visit www.nextgensectorpartnerships.com/

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