Smaller Manufacturers Association of CT

Our Vision To make Connecticut a great place to do business for smaller manufacturers. Our Mission/Purpose To help Smaller Manufacturers’ Association of Connecticut (SMA) members thrive and grow through communication, education, collaboration and advocacy. Networking and Programs Meeting other business owners is a great way to expand business relationships. Our monthly programs offer insight to areas such as marketing, government, lean manufacturing and leadership. All meetings are at convenient locations in the Greater Waterbury Area. Our focus as a distributor is to support manufacturers. At Thomaston Safety Group, we are vastly more effective in that pursuit with the insight and the opportunity we gain as a non-manufacturing member of the SMA. Each month, we are able to cultivate meaningful and sustainable relationships with our clients while also learning about the varied challenges facing local manufacturers. Together this allows us to create an improved experience for our customers. Jeff Van Stone, Thomaston Safety Group Taxes and Regulations The SMA has a collaborative venture for legislative purposes with NHMA, NESMA and METAL to comprise Connecticut Association of Smaller Manufacturers (CASM). Lobbying services are provided by DNB Government Relations of New Haven. Although we are a bit different than the average member in our product line, as a manufacturer of handcrafted chocolates we still share many common issues and needs. The SMA has been a great resource with wonderful people and valuable information. We also love that many of the members have become our customers. Carmen Romeo, Fascia’s Chocolates Future Workforce Skilled employees are essential to all manufacturers. With an aging workforce, it is more important than ever to hire quality, skilled employees. In partnership with area technical, comprehensive and community colleges, the SMA continues to support the education of tomorrows technical workforce. I am happy with the ongoing partnership between Kaynor Technical HS Precision Machining and the SMA. For years they’ve supplied our students with many positive career connecting gratuities such as tours, job shadowing, awards and permanent employment. We are happy to have provided and continue to provide quality trainable workers which will continue to fill the local industry. Tom Kenyon, Precision Machining Instructor, Kaynor Tech. HS