July 10, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from June 27, 2015

Supply Chain Innovation Initiative

On July 9th, Phil Singerman the Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services at NIST and MEP Director Carroll Thomas participated in the White House-led Supply Chain Innovation Initiative roundtable. Dave Boulay, IMEC, Jim Watson, CMTC, Chuck Spangler, SCMEP, John Killam, MassMEP, Zenagui Brahim, NH MEP, Tom Bugnitz, Manufacturer's Edge and Bill Donohue, GENEDGE Alliance added their voices, perspectives and opinions to the event. 

The Supply Chain Innovation Initiative was a first-ever convening of manufacturing leaders discussing how to strengthen the innovation capabilities of U.S. supply chains.  MEP Center clients and board members were invited to tell their company stories about maintaining their competitive edge in their supply chains, how innovation and technology effects their business, and where MEP played a roll in strategies. 

Commerce Secretary a Penny Pritzker, during her remarks, thanked MEP for its support of manufacturing and challenged the corporate executives in the room to get to know MEP if they hadn't already done so. The event was attended by over 30 manufacturers representing both the top and lower tiers of their supply chains.  Among the days discussion topics were forms of collaboration among supply chain partners, how to leverage U.S. innovation assists like the National Labs and MEP and scaling technology resources to reach even the smallest companies in supply chains.

For more information on supply chain innovation initiative roundtable contact Mark Schmit.

MEP Deputy Director Vacancy

NIST MEP is looking to fill the program’s Deputy Director position.  The Deputy serves as the focal point for MEP interactions with NIST on MEP program operational matters. The incumbent directs the program operational planning functions to ensure the effective development and presentation of the unit’s programs, and to assure that MEP fully meets the needs and requirements of NIST, DOC, and Congress. This position is currently open on USA Jobs (SES-2015-0038) and will remain open until Friday, August 7, 2015.  To read more about this position or apply for it, please visit USAJobs.gov.

September MEP Update Meeting

Registration is Now Open

The next MEP Update Meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2015 in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency.  Registration for the meeting is now open until Wednesday, September 16th.  The registration cost is $329 per person.  Please visit the MEP Update Meeting event page for registration and hotel information.  The agenda is not finalized but will be made available shortly. In addition to the MEP Update Meeting there are two other events happening at the Hyatt Regency that may also be of interest:

• ASMC / Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence Center Best Practice Sharing Conference – September 20 – 22, 2015: The Center Best Practice Sharing Conference will serve as a training venue for MEP Center leaders to share and receive best practices with MEP Center colleagues.  For more information or to register, please visit the event site.

• MEP Advisory Board Meeting – September 24, 2015: Open to all, no registration required.  Agenda will be posted on the MEP Update Meeting site shortly.
  

If you have any questions about the MEP Update Meeting or Advisory Board Meeting, please contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov or 301-975-4919.

12 New IMCP Designations

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced 12 new communities that have received designations under the Obama Administration's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative. From the communities that applied this round, 12 were selected by an interagency panel, based on the strength of their economic development plans, the potential for impact in their communities, and the depths of their partnerships across the public and private sectors to carry out their plans. To learn more about the designation of the 12 new manufacturing communities - some of which include MEP Centers, click here.

Manufacturing Day Success Story

Recruiting the Next Generation on Manufacturing Day

Chris Monzyk, then a student at Ozarks Technical College, toured Detroit Tool & Engineering (DTE) during the company’s first MFG Day tour. One of 30 students who visited the facility that day, Chris was at the top of his class and was recruited by DTE. Chris proudly joined DTE as a machinist.

“I really learned a lot during the tour—I had no idea what to expect! Then I knew I wanted to be part of DTE.”

Read the latest Manufacturing Day Success Story

MEP National Network Job Openings

GENEDGE (Virginia MEP) is looking for a Project Manager to join their statewide network of industrial consultants. This position provides service to clients statewide and will be based in Blacksburg, VA to enable focus on clients in southwest and southern Virginia. Screening of applications begin 7/14/15 and the position will remain open until filled.  Click here for more information.

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