Connecticut is Leading the Way in Advanced Manufacturing

Connecticut is home to manufacturing pioneers — from multinational OEMs to leading suppliers of components, composites, and related services of all types. Together, they form one of America’s most successful and forward-thinking advanced manufacturing ecosystems — powering today’s advances and innovation in precision processes, breakthrough fabrications, and patented products.

More than 4,400 manufacturing establishments are located in Connecticut¹, employing over 156,000 people²and generating nearly 11% of the state's total GSP³ (gross state product). Connecticut has the 7^th highest proportion of STEM-related fields and jobs in the U.S.⁴, with this skilled workforce driving some of the densest advanced manufacturing concentrations in the country in Groton-New London — ranked one of the top 10 manufacturing hubs in the nation⁵— Stratford, and East Hartford⁶.

“I’ve run businesses for Lockheed Martin in a number of states including Florida and New Jersey and Maryland, and Connecticut has been the most friendly state. Flat out, we’ve had the most communication with the political establishment, the governor and the senators.”

— Paul Lemmo, Head of Lockheed Martin IWSS

Connecticut’s manufacturing prowess is rooted in its aerospace and defense industry, with thousands of supply chain and component firms supporting the production of jet engines, helicopters, and nuclear submarines among others. The skilled manufacturing and engineering talent concentrated in the area has driven the state to the forefront of medical device, semiconductor machinery, hydrogen fuel cell, laser cutting, and other precision manufacturing.

Notable Manufacturers in Connecticut

Henkel

Henkel is a global leader in consumer goods and industrial technologies, with a portfolio spanning well-known brands in adhesives used in industries like electronics, automotive, and packaging, as well as consumer products such as detergents, hair care, and personal care items. In addition to Stamford, CT serving as their North American headquarters, Henkel’s planned $70 million R&D campus in Trumbull reinforces Connecticut’s role in supporting innovation at a global scale. By centralizing advanced research and product development in the state, Henkel strengthens its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions worldwide while contributing high-value jobs and reinforcing Connecticut’s position in the global manufacturing and innovation economy.

ASML

ASML could very well be the most essential company in the world. The only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, used to make semiconductors, is relied upon by the world’s chipmakers like Intel, Nvidia, and TSMC to fill the global demand for microchips. The 4^th most valuable company in Europe, ASML’s largest facility outside of its Netherlands headquarters is located in Wilton, CT, hosting their R&D efforts and ~2,500 employees. Over the last 5 years, ASML has invested more than $300 million and added 1,000 jobs to this facility, stressing the importance of Connecticut to its global operations.

TRUMPF

Market and technology leader in machine tools and the world’s largest producer of lasers for industrial manufacturing TRUMPF Inc. is headquartered in Farmington, CT and is one of the largest manufacturers of fabricating machinery in the U.S. TRUMPF Inc is the North American subsidiary of Germany-based TRUMPF Group and has one of the largest Connecticut presences of any of the 100+ German companies that are located throughout the state, with most of TRUMPF Inc.’s 1,200 U.S. employees based in Farmington, Connecticut.

Amphenol

One of the world’s largest providers of high-technology interconnect, sensor and antenna solutions, Amphenol is quietly one of the most important companies in the world. Amphenol technology and products are quite literally in every type of vehicle, device, and network in the world, enabling the electronics revolution and making their work essential to the operations of everything that drives, flies, and communicates. The Fortune 500 company’s world headquarters is located in Wallingford, CT with facilities around the globe in more than 40 countries employing more than 95,000 people.

Be Among the Best

Thumbnail for General Dynamics Electric Boat

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Key Facts

in the country for private R&D investment per capita⁷

in the nation for concentration of engineers⁵

25%

of all U.S. aircraft and aircraft engine parts manufacturing is located in Connecticut⁹

16%

of all U.S. shipbuilding and repairing is located in Connecticut¹⁰

Industry Subsectors

Connecticut is home to “Aerospace Alley,” an industrial ecosystem of thousands of advanced manufacturing companies anchored by internationally renowned companies like jet engine-maker Pratt & Whitney and helicopter pioneer Sikorsky. More than 25% of all aircraft engine and parts manufacturing is located here. The state is also one of the major shipbuilding centers of the U.S., with more than 16% of all U.S. shipbuilding and repairing located here. General Dynamics Electric Boat's nuclear submarine shipyards in Groton churn out some of the most complex and advanced pieces of machinery in existence, relying on Connecticut’s powerful defense supply chain. Learn more about Aerospace and Defense in Connecticut.

Aerospace & Defense

The integration of automation technologies has been a key factor in improving productivity and efficiency in manufacturing operations. Ever since the first industrial robot was invented in Danbury, CT in 1959 by Joe Engelberger (the “Father of Robotics”), Connecticut has played a significant global role in industrial automation, from robotic to AI-driven optimization in production processes. The push for smarter manufacturing processes aligns well with Connecticut’s strengths in technological innovation. Advanced manufacturers in Connecticut are constantly implementing highly skilled workers in roles that cannot be mechanized to oversee these processes as more and more smart production lines are constructed in 2025.

Robotics & Automation

Additive Manufacturing remains in its infancy stage as new solutions with different materials (metals, plastics, composites, and adhesives/building materials, etc.) develop in the market. Traditional processes involve long lead times for castings, forgings and raw materials, which is opening new markets to replace these processes. Castings made from aerospace alloys, for example, are in such demand that suppliers are quoting lead times of more than a year. The same parts can be built from additive solutions in 4 to 6 weeks. This improvement in delivery and the emergence of new quality assurance programs are speeding the adoption of additive processes, proving beneficial to OEM’s who have delivery pressures.

Additive Manufacturing

In today’s manufacturing environment we see a transition happening from the “old school” approach of paper drawings (prints) to digitally designed parts and assemblies. The digital environment allows for multiple departments and suppliers to participate in design, modification, inspection and manufacturing of parts. This is known in the industry as a digital thread. The need in the industry is to convert old procedures into a digital environment and to adopt digital thread approaches into an integrated supply chain for all manufacturing processes. Industry 4.0 relies on process-to-process communication, and this can only be achieved within a digital thread.

Digital Transformation

Connecticut is one of the premier locations for medical device manufacturing in the U.S. The New Haven metropolitan area has one of the highest concentrations of medical device professionals in the U.S. at more than 3 times the national average and higher than other life sciences centers like Boston and San Diego. Paired with much lower rents than other major metropolitan areas and one of the highest concentrations of advanced manufacturing talent in the country, it’s easy to see why companies like Medtronic, Perkin Elmer, ThermoFisher, and Zimmer Biomet choose to locate major operations here.

Medical Devices

The push toward decarbonization and clean energy is fueling growth in Connecticut’s manufacturing sector, especially in the fields of renewable energy, infrastructure, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage. While we don’t manufacture electric vehicles in Connecticut, we do manufacture the EV charging stations and related components that are the foundation for these clean energy applications.

Cleantech

Advanced Manufacturing Support in Connecticut

Connecticut offers an array of tax incentives, funding opportunities and technical resources designed specifically for advanced manufacturers. Additional resources are available through the following:

Manufacturing

Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program — a State fund to support the growth, innovation, and progress of the advanced manufacturing sector administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to provide grants and support an array of initiatives
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology — an applied technology demonstration and training center that validates, demonstrates, and assists with the adoption of leading-edge technologies into global industrial companies and the advanced manufacturing supply chain, while providing the training and education necessary to utilize the capability of these advancements and drive efficiency
CONNSTEP — a business consulting firm focused on identifying opportunities for growth, improving productivity, and ensuring competitiveness
CT APEX Accelerator — supports national security by ensuring a broad base of capable, Connecticut suppliers for the defense industry and other government agencies while increasing the state's business economic base
ManufactureCT — the statewide manufacturing association that represents all sectors of the industry, providing networking, advocacy, education and collaboration between companies of all sizes

STEP grants to help increase your exports
Exhibit space in the State's booth at the International Air Shows
Energy upgrade financing solutions through the Connecticut Green Bank

Manufacturing/Biotechnology Sales/Use Tax Exemption
Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Tax Exemption
Learn about more State incentives and programs

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Manufacturing Industry Sector Snapshot

Advanced Manufacturing Sector Snapshot, manufacturing machine at work.

◄ Get an in-depth look at Connecticut’s manufacturing industry cluster.

industry trends and dynamics
concentrations of talent and workforce pipelines in Connecticut
Connecticut's regulatory environment
logistical and infrastructure considerations
the state’s strengths for companies in the state
data and resources for companies seeking market entry into Connecticut

Learn more about Connecticut's key industries in our detailed snapshots.

¹Lightcast, 2022;²National Association of Manufacturers, 2022;³National Association of Manufacturers, 2022; ⁴STEM Location Quotient, Lightcast, 2022, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET definition; ⁵Business Facilities, 2023; ⁶Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁷National Science Foundation, 2022—released Sep 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022; AdvanceCT calculations. ⁸Lightcast, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁹Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT Calculations; ¹⁰Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations.

Contact Us

Ted Fisher
Vice President, Business Development, Advanced Manufacturing