Manufacturers in Connecticut will soon have another supply chain support mechanism via a new informational database from CONNSTEP, the organization announced.
CONNSTEP, a consultant firm for small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies in the state, recently announced that it received funding from National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership to create a new supply chain database in Connecticut.
The two-year program will include establishing an information system mapping suppliers with less than 500 employees, and their existing capabilities and capacities, across various industries. The system will ideally help connect original equipment manufacturers with suppliers hoping to expand their network.
The state launched a similarly-focused supply chain service, CONNEX, earlier this year as a way to strengthen business connections in the state. CONNSTEP Project Manager Jack Tubridy said that while the two initiatives are different, they’ll work hand-in-hand.
CONNEX is an online service that allows manufacturers and suppliers to discover new business opportunities and connect with each other to manage supply chains.
Tubridy said CONNSTEP is using CONNEX to help manufacturers in the state identify new business opportunities and to fulfill supplier scouting requests. It will be one of the main platforms CONNSTEP uses to connect suppliers to each other while also tracking results, he said.
“Our primary goal is to map the capabilities and capacities of suppliers in CT which will help us understand where gaps and opportunities are within the supply chain. From there, we are hoping to specifically enhance communication, collaboration, and visibility between suppliers and OEMs within the state,” Tubridy said.
