NIST MEP E-Blast: Friday February 15, 2013

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (MTACs)

Impact & Collaboration Document

NGA Academy Report & Webinar

Edison Nation Live Product Search

MEP in the NEWS

Upcoming Events of Interest

Make it in America Manufacturer of the Week!

View eblast from February 8, 2013

Save the Date! Manufacturing Day October 4, 2013

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (MTACs)

On Wednesday, following the State of the Union address, the White House released "The President’s Plan to Make America a Magnet for Jobs by Investing in Manufacturing." The plan outlines several initiatives focused on fostering a strong U.S. manufacturing industry, including new investments, partnerships and policy changes to support the development of manufacturing technologies, expanding export opportunities, and developing an advanced manufacturing workforce. The plan also outlined a new initiative focused on strengthening manufacturing supply chains through the development of Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (MTACs). The MTACs will be part of the MEP program and will focus on moving technologies into the products and processes of small and medium sized manufacturers.

"Strengthening manufacturing supply chains through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership: The Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) provides a range of business services to small manufacturers and is enhancing the program to help companies focus on technology transition which requires deep supply chain expertise. The President’s Budget will propose a $25 million increase to launch Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (MTACs), which will be industry-specific centers that can serve as a coordination point within key supply chains. The Administration is also announcing plans to pilot two new centers in 2013 using existing resources."

As highlighted in the President's plan, MEP plans to run a competition in FY2013 to test the concept of the MTACs through pilot efforts. Additional details related to the specific federal funding opportunity will be detailed once MEP has a final FY 2013 budget appropriation.

For questions, please contact Karen Lellock (karen.lellock@nist.gov | 301-975-4269)

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FY 11/12 Impact Document & NEW! Collaboration Document

NIST MEP has released two documents reflecting the updated FY2011 data:

FY2011/2012 MEP Impact Document shows MEP’s economic impact on U.S. Manufacturing. The impact numbers are based on the results reported by MEP clients receiving services in FY2011.

The Collaboration Document, a newly published NIST MEP document, includes a list of services that MEP offers to help manufacturers commercialize technologies and identify opportunities that will strengthen their growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.

You can find both documents on our website at http://nist.gov/mep/mepreports.cfm

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Orellana (301-975-9614, Cindy.orellana@nist.gov)

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National Governors Association Academy Report & Webinar

Over the last year, NIST MEP and the Economic Development Administration collaborated with the National Governors Association to conduct a Policy Academy with eight states interested in preparing new strategies for success in advanced manufacturing. MEP centers were integrally involved in this effort. The NGA report detailing the steps taken and lessons learned is now available: “Making” Our Future: What States Are Doing to Encourage Growth in Manufacturing through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Investment".

MEP and NGA will convene a webinar to discuss the findings of the Academy and its implications for other states. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, February 21 at 1:00pm ET.

Webinar Details
Webinar Link

Password: welcome
Meeting Number: (866) 469-3239
Dial in Number: (866) 469-3239
Access Code: 732 861 717

For more information, please contact Mark Troppe at mtroppe@nist.gov| 301-975-5745.

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Bringing "Made in America" Back to American Innovation

Edison Nation Live Product Search - Updates
Thank you to the MEP Centers and client companies who have submitted new product ideas to the Edison Nation Live Product Search for Belk. There is still time to submit ideas for the Live Product Searches for Bob Timberlake, Snapware, and Pyrex that will end this Monday, February 18th. Edison Nation®, an idea-to-shelf product developer and innovation platform has partnered once again with the NIST MEP on their Made in America Program. This program gives U.S.-based manufacturers the first chance to bid on producing new products for large, established retailers. Read Announcement.

In the first step of this program Edison Nation gathers new and innovative product ideas from its inventor network through “Live Product Searches.” The “Live Product Search” Landing Pages are available for the following companies participating in the program. To view the Landing Page, please, click on links below.

Deadline: Monday, February 18, 2013
• Bob Timberlake wants to see your outdoor lifestyle innovations
• Snapware is searching for kitchen products that meet the needs of the aging consumer
• Pyrex is searching for healthy cooking and storing innovations

Deadline: Monday, February 25,2013
• Worx wants to see your handheld lawn care and power tool innovations
• Chicago Cutlery is looking for knife and cutting innovations
• ToyQuest is looking for new toys and games for boys and girls
• Corelle is looking for versatile product innovations perfect for entertaining and serving

Edison Nation is inviting MEP staff and client companies the opportunity to submit their product ideas without charge. Contact Caroline Ranghel Ashley at RTI International for a coupon code. With the reach of the MEP network we can help U.S. companies create new opportunities to manufacture products for large retailers. In March 2013 the retailers will select their favorite new product ideas. We will then be posting the requests for quotes to make these new products so that you can send them to your manufacturer networks.

For questions, please contact Dave Cranmer (David.Cranmer@nist.gov | 301-975-5753) or Caroline Ranghel Ashley (Ranghel@rti.org | 919- 541-6822)

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MEP in the NEWS

OBAMA: Here's My 4-Step Plan To Make America A 'Magnet For Jobs The White House has unveiled a four-step plan that would make the U.S. a "magnet for jobs" by investing in manufacturing. In this plan the President has outlined "Strengthening manufacturing supply chains throughout the Manufacturing Extension Partnership" as part of his comprehensive agenda that will attract more jobs to the U.S. Read Article

NJMEP Announces "Super Storm Emergency Program" to Help NJ Manufacturers Damaged by Hurricane Sandy The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) announces a new "Super Storm Emergency Program" to assist manufacturers impacted by the hurricane. The program will provide an expedited way for companies to recover from the storm and prepare for future possible disasters. "The manufacturing community was hit hard by the hurricane. It is imperative that we help them recover as quickly and effectively as possible." Read Article

Second Annual National Manufacturing Day After a successful initial celebration last year, the next Manufacturing Day has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. Manufacturers, educational institutions and others are encouraged to host events that will highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation’s economy and draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill jobs in manufacturing fields. Read Article

Benchmark Against Best Practices To Help Your Company Succeed The January 2013 issue of the Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM is the Missouri NAM Affiliate) Your Voice Magazine carried an article by Missouri Enterprise President and CEO Dusty Cruise. Download Article

The Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) is partnering with Ohio Development Services Agency to rollout Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) services for a 28-county region. To ensure Ohio’s industrial base prospers in the 21st century global economy, the Ohio MEP and APEG are coordinating their strategies with centers of expertise throughout the region. Read Article

"The biggest obstacle to U.S. manufacturing growth is likely to be a shortage of skilled job candidates in an aging workforce, but this state [Minnesota] is "ahead of the curve" Bob Kill, CEO of Enterprise Minnesota quotes on a Star Tribune editorial entitled "State of our union? Slowly improving." Read Article

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Calendar of Events

Astro Machine Works Inc, a client of MANTEC, is based in Ephrata, PA and specializes in building custom machinery and equipment and machining precision parts. In their 25+ years as a custom machine builder and parts maker, they have become experts in several other value-added services such as: Machine repair, rebuilding and refurbishing, welding and metal fabrication, reverse engineering, and panel wiring and control systems.

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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