Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/479389
66 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2014 within a 30-mile radius — from raw material distributors, to special processes, to manufac- turers and finishing houses," as well as United Technologies Corp. and Electric Boat. As he explained, Pegasus has been able to offset the higher costs of doing business in Connecticut by "making parts faster than our global competitors because we have an expe- rienced workforce to draw from and quicker turnaround times from local suppliers." Curbing costs In addition to offering an experienced workforce, Connecticut also offers programs to help manufacturers lower costs in what traditionally is a high-cost area: energy. Energize Connecticut, a state program run in partnership with the state's utilities — includ- ing Connecticut Light & Power as well as United Illuminating — offers a broad array of options to help businesses get control of their energy costs. One of the more popular programs is called PRIME (Process Reengineering for Increased Manufacturing Efficiency). e program takes businesses through the process of getting "lean," or more efficient. Lean techniques emphasize a system where customer orders pull activity, rather than a business pushing product that's already been made and sitting in a warehouse. e family-owned Edco Engineering of Newington began participating in the PRIME program this spring through the help of the In- stitute of Technology & Business Development (ITBD) at Central Connecticut State University. Edco, which makes components used in fluid transfer for engine and airplane makers, is using the lean training to help expand its assembly and tube-bending division. e training is inten- sive. It included having a lean expert on site for nine days who reviewed Edco's manufacturing process and then made very specific recommen- Industry sPOtLIGHt › How to get funding for ge ng "lean" in Connec cut Manufacturing "We do quite a bit of everything in Connecticut," says Bonnie Del Conte, president of the Rocky Hill-based consulting organization CONNSTEP. ' No other industry offers such a diverse range of job opportunities. ' —Chris DiPentima, Pegasus Manufacturing PHOTO/CONNSTEP > Continued from page 65 Energize Connec cut, a state program done in partner- ship with the state's u li es – including Connec cut Light & Power as well as United Illumina ng – has a program called PRIME that helps businesses save money on energy costs by ge ng more efficient. What does PRIME stand for? PRIME stands for Process Reengineering for Increased Manufacturing Efficiency. How does PRIME work? Companies that par cipate in PRIME get access to special- ized training and so-called "lean events" that help them improve processes at their plants. What is lean? Lean is a catchall term for techniques used to make busi- nesses, par cularly manufacturers, more efficient. The emphasis is on customer orders pulling manufacturing ac vity, rather than a business pushing product that's already been made and si ng in a warehouse. Who is eligible for the program? Manufacturing customers of Connec cut Light & Power and United Illumina ng. Where can I get more informa on? Visit www.EnergizeCT.com.