January Update Meeting Recap
Thank you to all who attended this week’s MEP Update meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. We had over 150 center staff, partners, and NIST MEP staff in attendance. On the first day, NIST MEP presenters shared information regarding the strategic direction of the program, including plans for a 2013-2017 strategic plan, revised growth framework and plans for an MEP system collaboratory. On Wednesday, we heard from the Chuck Prucha (Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance), Dave Snow (Indiana MEP), and Beth Colbert (Ohio MEP) on how their centers are having success with the new CORE metrics (see case study story below). In addition, we had a panel presentation with Jim Watson (CMTC), Jack Pfunder (MRC) and Dan Curtis (Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions) about how they have incorporated growth and innovation services into their center practice. The afternoon was spent in breakout sessions further discussing innovation practices within centers and then finally center regional breakouts.
We will be capturing questions and answers from the meeting as well as feedback from each of the table discussions. These notes will be sent out to the system within the next two weeks. For those of you interested in copies of the presentations that were delivered you can find them posted on MEIS. If you attended the meeting and have not had a chance to respond to the survey, please take a moment to do so. It will help us to continue to improve on our feedback and communication with the system.
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CORE Case Study: Promising Practices in Overall Performance
NIST MEP has released the first in a planned series of case studies that connect center practice to performance. Looking at centers in Indiana, Ohio and Oklahoma, the first study examines how these organizations have outperformed the system on both Impact Metrics and Center Diagnostics. Key takeaways from the study include the importance of leadership in establishing a high performance culture, the multiplying effect that strong partnerships can provide and how basic management tools help to maintain focus. Get an electronic copy here.
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Make it in America: GPS Source Video Interview
Check out this three-minute video interview, which is featured in today's Manufacturing Innovation blog post, showcasing the work of veteran-owned GPS Source of Colorado, CAMT and NIST MEP's partnerships to Make it in America.
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MEP in the NEWS
"Made in California Hits 250 Participants" Quotes center directors James Watson of CMTC and Gene Russell of Manex on the benefits of the program. Read Article
“Supervisory Training to Sustain Continuous Improvement Gains" Features Dusty Cruise, president and CEO of Missouri Enterprise, in the January PNC Bank E-Newsletter for Manufacturers and Wholesalers. Read Article
Read the Latest from the 
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 Send us your News Clips! Email us at mepeblast@nist.gov
Upcoming Events of Interest
Manufacturing Matters! Conference
February 28, 2013
Manufacturers are faced with a variety of opportunities and challenges, many of which will be the focus of discussion in the information-packed Manufacturing Matters! Conference to be held Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee. The event, presented by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, will feature keynotes, breakout sessions, including Talent Management for executives and operations staff; Innovation with author and thought-leader Adam Hartung; Continuous Improvement featuring a range of manufacturing leaders; and Focus on Food Processing to help food processors and packagers navigate the changing regulatory landscape. For more information and to register, visit the Manufacturing Matters website or contact Debra Oaks | 608-729-4012.
U.S. Commercial Service Trade Winds – Asia
May 9-17, 2013
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your clients that may be interested in Asian Markets. Seoul, Korea and the dynamic cities of Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo and Manila offer global sales potential for U.S. businesses in a range of industry sectors. Learn how to increase profits and overcome barriers in the growing Asia-Pacific region and network with the region's leading industry and government officials and experienced U.S. and global companies. Meet one-on-one with top Asia business experts from the U.S. Embassies and Consulates from the region for the latest trade leads and market entry strategies. Find a partner or customer through screened business-to-business meetings in Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
Register your interest to receive a complimentary market assessment at export.gov. For additional information, contact tradewindsasia@trade.gov, Leslie.drake@trade.gov or judy.kornfeld@trade.gov.
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"Make it in America" Manufacturer of the Week!
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Westec Environmental Solutions, a client of Innovate Hawaii, delivers innovative solutions to global environmental challenges and is developing the world's most advanced froth-based mass-transfer absorption system for commercial markets..
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).
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