|
MEP Update Meeting - Registration now open!
Please register for the NIST MEP Update Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, starting at 1:00 pm on January 29 and ending by 2:30 on the 30th. Registration cost is $250 per person. A full agenda will be posted on the site soon. These meetings are open to all Center staff and provide an opportunity for all levels of the organization to gain a better understanding of the activities occurring within the MEP system.
The meeting will be held at the St. Louis Double Tree Hotel
St. Louis Union Station DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Room rate ends January 8th: $104/night
Click here to place reservations online. This link is already generated with the group discount code. Once on the website select your arrival and departure date and the Group/Convention Code will automatically populate to say “January Update Meeting.” To place reservations by phone please call 855-271-3620 and reference “January Update Meeting.” You must reference the room block in order to receive the discounted rate.
Any questions related to the January MEP Update Meeting, please contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov or 301-975-4919.
Back to Top
What's Happening Around MEP
Blueprint for Action I: Workshop on the Design of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)
January 16, 2013
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama
This regional workshop, first in a new series of workshops by the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO), provides a forum for the AMNPO to present to stakeholders the proposed design of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI or “Network”) and its regional components, Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs or “Institutes”). The workshop will allow for public review and discussion of the proposed NNMI and IMI design, an initiative proposed by President Obama.
This Blueprint for Action workshop will include an update on the NNMI program proposed by the President; a review of the proposed NNMI design and discussion of that design; review of the public comments received by the AMNPO in response to the May 4, 2012 Request for Information (RFI) on the proposed NNMI; and discussion of anticipated next steps. Most of the workshop will be devoted to interactive sessions to discuss the proposed key design elements of the NNMI and of the regional Institutes.
Event Details
Click here to register
Location: The workshop will be held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Davidson Center for Space Exploration, One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama 35805
Workshop Fee: A $50 event fee, payable at the time of registration, is required and includes light morning refreshments, a working lunch, and two breaks. Attendees must pay this fee by 11:59 PM Eastern time, Monday, January 7, 2013
For more information visit the manufacturing.gov webpage or contact Mark Troppe at mark.troppe@nist.gov.
Back to Top
What NIST MEP is Reading
The 2012 State New Economy Index
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (www.itif.org)
As the economy grapples with the challenges of today's globalized "New Economy," the 2012 State New Economy Index uses 26 indicators to measure the extent to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven and innovation-based. This edition finds that Massachusetts is the state farthest along this path with Delaware, Washington, California, and Maryland close behind. The two states farthest behind are Mississippi and West Virginia. To improve their economic fortunes, all states not only need to put in place comprehensive innovation-based economic development strategies but also press the federal government to do the same. Read the report.
The 2012 Global Innovation 1000 Study: Making Ideas Work Booz and Co.
Since 2005 Booz and Co. have produced the Global Innovation 1000 study of the world's 1000 largest corporate R&D companies. While vastly different than most SME's the report nevertheless provides helpful insights. This year's report, according to the Booz and Co. release, the Global Innovation 1000 study demonstrates that it is not how much companies spend on research and development that determines success — what really matters is how those R&D funds are invested in talent, process, and tools. In addition to their recurring analysis of R&D spending trends, this eighth annual study focuses on the “fuzzy front end” of the innovation process — the tools, mechanisms and networks companies use to generate ideas and effectively convert them into commercialization projects. Read the Study
GENEDGE ALLIANCE has written a white paper based on Booz and Company’s 2012 Global Innovation Study. The report discusses why companies lack success in generating ideas and converting them into projects, and an approach that can help organizations become more effective with these efforts. Read Genedge White Paper
Back to Top
MEP in the NEWS
What is the MEP, Anyway? [Industrial Extension Services Mfg Minute video]. North Carolina Industrial Extension Services tell folks a little about the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), including their current focus on innovation.
MMEC Client Success: ExporTech helping local businesses expand It took a while for Lewistown’s Spika Welding and Manufacturing to find its product niche, said the company’s founder and owner, Tom Spika. Now that they have, the aviation maintenance platforms the company manufactures are being sold in several markets overseas... Read Article
CMTC and Orange County WIB Partner to Help Manufacturers Secure Over 260 Jobs, Increase Sales by Nearly $7 Million CMTC has teamed with the Orange County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to help Southern California manufacturers create and retain jobs, increase sales and save costs. The partnership has assisted 15 Orange County manufacturers by providing them programs to increase efficiencies, productivity and profitability... Read Article
Read the Latest from the 
Moving the World
I was desperate to find something upbeat to read after seeing last Tuesday that U.S. manufacturing shrank to its weakest level since 2009. The Wall Street Journal did the trick, though it was a far cry from the Sunday morning “funny pages.” They ran an uplifting article entitled, “In World of Big Stuff, the U.S. Still Rules.” And we do rule…in a big way... Read Blog
Back to Top
 Send us your News Clips! Email us at mepeblast@nist.gov
Upcoming Events of Interest
New! Lean New Product Development Workshop provides companies with "innovative" way to design and produce
December 18, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Did you know that out of an eight-hour day, the typical product engineer performs less than two hours of value added work? Lean Product Development offers tools and methods to reduce waste and improve results in the product development process. Join Ed Maier, certified Lean Product Development Master Instructor, for this half-day workshop introducing you to the basic concepts of Lean Product Development. We will demonstrate methods and tools that can help you with your product development challenges. These tools can help you:
- Improve product differentiation
- Improve time to market
- Reduce product cost
- Reduce risk
- Integrate the product development team
For more information, or to register, visit www.imec.org/events.cfm or contact Amy Fitzgerald, IMEC Marketing Manager at afitzgerald@imec.org. Read the press release online now!
NEW! Trends in Manufacturing and their Implications for Workforce Development Webinar Series
December 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. EST
NIST MEP will host a webinar on trends in manufacturing and their implications for workforce development. This is the first webinar in a 4-part series on how the changes in manufacturing have shaped and continue to shape America’s manufacturing workforce, and how MEP centers can “get out in front” of talent management challenges. The December 19th webcast will provide observations on manufacturing workforce challenges, and peek into the future to help think about today’s AND tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce – and what MEP is doing to help with those challenges.
Webinar Link
Password: workforce
Call in number: 1-866-469-3239
Access Code: 734 858 811
For more information about the December webinar or the series, contact Stacey Wagner at Stacey.wagner@nist.gov.
Toyota Kata Workshop and Summit hosted by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions
January 16-17, 2013
Little Rock, Arkansas
Learn from Mike Rother, the author of "Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results"
- Obtain a basic understanding of the Toyota Improvement Kata Trajectory (i.e. Vision/Challenge, Current Condition, Target Condition, Obstacles, PDCA)
- Recognize the value of the Coaching Kata Methodology (i.e., how the Value Adders, Learner and 1st and 2nd Coaches interact via the 5 Questions)
- Gain a practitioner’s view of how the Toyota Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata can be used in conjunction with the Lean 101 “Buzz Electronics” simulation to help enhance the learning of these methodologies
The Little Rock “DoubleTree Hotel” has limited number of rooms blocked for the event at a nightly rate of $114 for January 15 and 16, 2013. To get the blocked room rate, mention “Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions” when making reservation by calling the hotel directly at 501-372-4371 or the Central Reservations system at 800-222-8733. This event block rate ends on December 21, 2012.
For more information, click here or contact Brian Lagas at brian.lagas@nist.gov , 301-975-5043.
Principles of Lean & Green Manufacturing Workshop hosted in Delaware
January 18, 2013
A revised version of the LE101 workshop Principles of Lean Manufacturing with the Buzz Electronics simulation will be delivered by the Delaware MEP on November 1, 2012. The 'classroom' materials now include "green" related concepts including green wastes, the interrelationship between "lean and green", and specific "green".
Event Details
Location: Delaware Technical & Community College (Stanton Campus)
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $395
To register, click here. For more information, contact Sara Collins sfcollin@demep.org
Back to Top
 |
|
"Make it in America" Manufacturer of the Week!
|
Lex Products, a client of CONNSTEP, is located in Shelton, Ct and is a leading manufacturer of innovative power distribution and control systems for demanding markets, including entertainment, industrial and the military. Founded in 1989, the company specializes in portable power systems designed to withstand rough use and harsh environments, including distribution boxes, cable assemblies, cable protectors and other products.
Visit the NIST MEP Visit the NIST MEP public site to learn more about this company and how the center is helping them grow.
For more information about NIST MEP's "Make it in America" Manufacturer of the Week, please contact Karen Lellock (karen.lellock@nist.gov | 301-975-4269).
Back to Top
|
