NIST MEP E-Blast: June 26, 2015

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent this bulletin at 06/26/2015 03:09 PM EDT

The very latest news and opportunities from the NIST MEP - Making an impact on U.S. Manufacturing
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June 26, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from June 19, 2015

In This Issue:
 

MEP Advisory Board Annual Report

Advisory Board Report

The MEP Advisory Board had yet another productive year in 2014. While the Board had to say goodbye to a number of long-term members they were also able to welcome four new members that are very active in their communities and many also serve as board members for their local MEP center. To learn more about the Board's assessment, progress in addressing priorities, and activities from last year, read the latest Advisory Board Annual Report

 

 

Skills on Purpose, Creating the Next Generation of Manufacturers

Two Upcoming Webinars

The U.S. Department of Education invites you to participate in the second and third webinar of the Skills on Purpose Series:

  • June 29, 2015: State and Local Policy and the Implementation of Industry-Education Partnerships will describe ways that state governments can serve the work of local partnerships, helping effective approaches to spread, and magnifying the impact on growth and employment. Learn More
  • July 11, 2015: Career Pathways in Manufacturing - Rethinking the Pipeline with the End in Mind will highlight the process of constructing effective career pathway programs in the manufacturing sector. Learn More

MEP In the News

Doug Keith, MANTEC’s Certified Associate Business Continuity Professional, recently spoke at the Manufacturers’ Association finance forum about the importance of Business Continuity Plans. The topic was timely as a local chemical plant was destroyed by a fire in early June.  Disasters aren’t planned.  A proper plan can address responsibilities and procedures in case it does happen to you.

READ MORE >>

Chicago Metro Metals Consortium and IMEC awarded funding for local manufacturing engagement.

The "Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership," through the leadership of IMEC, was awarded $100,000 in funding from JP Morgan Chase for boosting local manufacturing improvements through industry cluster development, engagement platforms, and firm-level benchmarking and capacity building. The CMMC is in its second year of outreach.

READ MORE >>

Video: IMEC launches new solution for regional Food Cluster initiative.

In support of the new Food Cluster initiative serving the Chicago metro region, IMEC has introduced a new solution for enhancing core improvements for food-related manufacturing firms. The full-day session highlights the specific processes and PPE that affect food manufacturers and their workforce.

READ MORE >> 

NEPIRC Executive Director Eric Esoda was recently featured on a Business Leader’s Radio program.

To hear his conversation about the state of manufacturing in northeastern and the northern tier of PA, please CLICK HERE to launch an MP3 version of the show.

OMEP Client Success: Wildtime Foods revamps its business in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood.

When Whit Hemphill and Brad Averill decided to move their company, Wildtime Foods, to a bigger location, they decided they should also take a long look at how they could improve the business and position themselves for the future.

READ MORE >>

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Supports Manufacturing, Seeks Insights to Assist in Growth.

On June 3, 2015, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker toured Greentown Labs and led a roundtable discussion on manufacturing and clean technology innovation. As the largest cleantech incubator in the nation, "Greentown Labs is a unique model in the country," stated Pritzker. "We should be thinking of replicating what is successful here…the strength of our manufacturing sector is heavily tied to innovation, and vice versa."

READ MORE >>

MEP Events

June 29-30, 2015

Center Orientation Webinars

MEP presents an Orientation webinar two part series for those interested to learn about the MEP program and the MEP system. 

Part 1: Webinar Link | Code: 731 151 518

Part 2: Webinar Link | Code: 730 025 137

Conference Number: 1 (866) 218-2764

Contact: Phill Wadsworth or Wiza Lequin.

New! July 9, 2015 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM EDT

CRM Working Group: Salesforce Users' Group Meeting

Chicago, IL

The MEP Salesforce Users’ Group, which is a part of CRM Working Group, has planned a meeting in conjunction with this Midwest Dreamin’ Conference. With nearly 50% of MEP Centers using or moving to Salesforce, now is the time to connect and learn from each other how Salesforce is being used while also learning more about Salesforce. 

Contact: Brenda Story, Director, IT, Missouri Enterprise at 573-368-6434 for more information.

NEW! July 16 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT

Technology Acceleration Working Group Webinar

In an effort of shaping MEP's Technology Acceleration strategy and activities, NIST MEP will hold a webinar on the formation of a Technology Acceleration Working Group, as called for in the Implementation Plan approved by the NIST MEP Advisory Board. For additional information, please contact Clara Asmail or Ben Vickery.

Webinar details: Link | Meeting Number: 730 414 414 | Meeting Password: M3PTaWG7-16-15 | Dial In: 866-218-2764

July 28-30, 2015

Supply Chain Optimization Train the Trainer Sessions

The sessions will help to develop MEP Center staff for supply chain service delivery in your state. The "Track One: Tools" sessions will include the SCO Leadership Overview, Total Cost of Ownership, and Risk Management.

Dates open for registration: July 28-30: Greenville, South Carolina

Save-the-Date!

Nov 17-19: Portland, Oregon

Dec 8-10: Providence, Rhode Island

Contact: Amy Fitzgerald for more information.

Other Events

July 9, 2015

Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI)

Atlanta, Ga

DOE is hosting a regional summit to expand its partnerships, share resources, and refine its strategy to boost U.S. competitiveness in clean energy manufacturing.

Click here to register or for more information.

July 16-17, 2015

Galliard Family Business Advisor Core Training

Chicago, IL

This program prepares advisors to work with owners on strategies to secure the future of their business. Learn More or Register. 

Contact: Lise Stewart

NEW! August 26, 2015

Implementing A Tier Meeting Process For Improved Communication Across the Enterprise

Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania

Click here to register or for more information.

What NIST MEP Is Reading

Manufacturing’s Next Act by McKinsey & Company

Industry 4.0 is more than just a flashy catchphrase. It is a confluence of trends and technologies that promises to reshape the way things are made.  Industry 4.0 is the next phase in the digitization of the manufacturing sector.  It reveals some powerful emerging currents with strong potential to change the way factories work. Most of these digital technologies have been brewing for some time. Some are not yet ready for application at scale, but many are now at a point where their greater reliability and lower cost are starting to make sense for industrial applications. However, companies are not consistently aware of the emerging technologies. Manufacturers should begin today to join the hunt for the best digital talent, and think about how to structure their digital organization.  Industry 4.0 is gathering force, and executives should carefully monitor the coming changes and develop strategies to take advantage of the new opportunities. Read Report

 

Unlocking the Potential of the Internet of Things by McKinsey & Company

An important contribution of this research has been to demonstrate the importance of analyzing the applications of the Internet of Things in the context of settings—the physical environments in which these systems are deployed, such as homes, offices, and factories. The IoT can improve manufacturing efficiencies and reduce costs by technologically linking equipment, enabling the factory to monitor the quality of it systems, and improving inventory control.  It can contribute to factory interoperability, predictive maintenance and to analyze workflows to optimize operating efficiency. The Internet of Things will change the bases of competition and drive new business models for user and supplier companies. The Internet of Things will enable—and in some cases force—new business models.

 

MEP Centers are poised to assist their clients in embracing this new technology and staying on the cutting edge of what it means to be lean in the 21st Century.  Read Report.
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