University of New Haven and Creator of Cutting-Edge Platform Supporting U.S. Manufacturing Collaborate to Launch National Supply Chain Resiliency Hub in Connecticut

The University of New Haven’s Elevation Center and i5 Services, operator of the CONNEX Marketplace digital platform, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a national Supply Chain Resiliency Hub aimed at helping U.S. manufacturers identify suppliers, assess risk, and build more resilient supply chains.

The Supply Chain Resiliency Hub will be housed at the University’s Elevation Center and will leverage CONNEX Marketplace’s national supplier databases and digital tools alongside University of New Haven faculty expertise and student talent. The Hub will serve manufacturers across the country and will be involved in all manufacturing sectors looking to build local supply chains, reshore manufacturing, and build resiliency in their national and international supply chains.

Through the Hub, manufacturers will gain access to supply-chain assessments, sourcing alternatives, resiliency analysis, and workforce training programs. University of New Haven students will benefit from experiential learning opportunities, including real-world projects, internships, and applied research, supporting The Elevation Center’s vision of bridging the gap between classroom education and industry needs.

“The University of New Haven is committed to being at the forefront of preparing the elite global workforce of the future,” said University of New Haven president Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. “The Supply Chain Resilinecy Hub will help prepare the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals while delivering tangible value to the industries that drive the U.S. economy. This Hub is exactly the kind of industry-academic collaboration that allows our students to work on real challenges while giving manufacturers the expertise and tools to build more resilient operations. We are thrilled to partner with i5 Services to make this vision a reality.”

“U.S. manufacturers are the backbone of our national economy, yet too many small and midsized companies lack access to the tools and insights they need to navigate today’s complex global supply chains,” said Alan Davis president of i5 Services. “Our partnership with the University of New Haven gives us a powerful on-the-ground presence to deliver real solutions — combining CONNEX Marketplace’s technology with world-class academic talent to help manufacturers discover suppliers, reduce risk, and compete more effectively.”

The Hub is expected to be operational within the first two months of the agreement, with pilot manufacturer assessments beginning shortly thereafter. A full launch is planned for month four, at which point U.S. manufacturers will be able to access the Hub’s full suite of services.

Under the terms of the three-year MOU, the University will receive a commission on new customers referred to CONNEX and on consulting projects initiated through the Hub. The institutions also plan to pursue sponsored research, professional development programming, and grant opportunities related to supply chain resiliency and manufacturing innovation.