28 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL • OCTOBER 2, 2017
That fact is borne out in the data. Exports from Connecticut in goods
that require cheap labor, like apparel and agriculture, for example, have
declined dramatically since the '90s. At the same time, exports from
the transportation sector, which includes jet engines from Pratt and
helicopters from Sikorsky, have soared because those goods require the
skilled workers that the Nutmeg State specializes in.
Leaning in
Behind some of the workforce numbers in the manufacturing sector is,
as Del Conte pointed out, an increased level of productivity, helped by the
continued adoption of lean manufacturing initiatives.
An idea that has its roots in the Toyota Production System, the term lean
came into prominence in the 1990s and continues to be a buzzword in
the industry today. It emphasizes reducing waste in the manufacturing
process and requires a bottom-up commitment to analyzing every step in
the manufacturing process to ensure the highest quality.
While many of the larger manufacturers of the state long ago adopted
lean principles, it's a continuous process of improvement requiring
ongoing effort. At the same time, many suppliers of the large
manufacturers in the state are just beginning the process of going lean.
"As you get down to the smaller shops it's harder for them to adopt that
because they wear many hats," Del Conte said, adding that manufacturers
often face pressure to fulfill orders to bring in revenue and find it difficult
to take the time out to review how they can streamline their processes.
Del Conte recommends that manufacturers take advantage of periods
when orders are down to begin the process of going lean.
"Instead of layoffs or shut downs, figure out how to keep people on board
and get them trained," she said.
The manufacturing industry has been facing a major worker
shortage and has been trying to recruit more women like
Hannah Lenoce of Marion Manufacturing in Cheshire.
Collaborative robots have been making their way into
Connecticut manufacturing plants.
