CONNSTEP Client, Dur-A-Flex of East Hartford, Honored with Awards at the MEP National Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2010

CONTACT
Rebecca Kane Dow, 860.513.3217

(Rocky Hill, Connecticut) - The Grand Ballroom of the Marriott World Center in Orlando was the stage for Jon Matcheson and Bridgett Freeman of Dur-A-Flex to garner a national award at the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Conference, held May 1-5, 2010.

Dur-A-Flex took home the first ever MEP Excellence in Innovation Award from a pool of eight nominees from across the United States. The MEP Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes MEP manufacturing clients that have implemented new systems or processes in manufacturing or technology that demonstrates profitable growth.

Dur-A-Flex was nominated by CONNSTEP, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership for Connecticut. The assistance provided by CONNSTEP for Connecticut manufacturers is supported, in joint effort, by the Department of Commerce National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Dur-A-Flex, a manufacturer of seamless commercial/industrial flooring systems and polymer components, is located in East Hartford, Connecticut. The company was chosen to receive the award for their innovative program, Dur-A-Flex University, a program dedicated to inspiring personal growth through various learning opportunities for all Dur-A-Flex co-owners; educating not only in business, technology and manufacturing, but also in personal finance, nutritional training and non-violent communication to allow co-owners to be less stressed, more productive and an active contributor to the overall health of the company.

Bonnie Del Conte, CONNSTEP's President, underscores the company's success, "We're excited to be celebrating this achievement with our friends at Dur-A-Flex! The commitment to their co-owners, their partners and their community is a benchmark that all manufacturers in Connecticut - in the US - should strive for."

Bob Smith, Dur-A-Flex's owner since 1987, explains the Dur-A-Flex philosophy, "Dur-A-Flex is an idea, not a company. A sense of ownership among all staff is our goal. You can either throw people at problems or build leaders. Our people become leaders, knowing all aspects of the business, and are always thinking about making improvements to the business."

About CONNSTEP
CONNSTEP's mission is to help Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced technology and modern management methodologies to become more competitive. Since 1994, CONNSTEP's innovative programs help hundreds of manufacturers annually and have assisted in the creation or retention of thousands of jobs. CONNSTEP's team of manufacturing specialists provides business growth, technical and process improvement assistance. Core service areas include Lean Solutions, Quality Management Systems, Enterprise Growth Services, Green Manufacturing Systems, Business Assessments and Culture and Change Management Solutions.

CONNSTEP is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce through the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
 

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