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MEP Manufacturing Newsletter # 2

As the new year unfolds, we look forward to continued opportunities for U.S. manufacturing.  NIST MEP’s focus in 2015 includes working with our nationwide network of centers and partners on workforce, “Made in America” initiatives, supply chain, export, continuous improvement, and technology-related services.  And we’ll be introducing a new MEP Director in the near future.  There’s a lot of promise ahead!

We are excited to announce our latest economic impact metrics. MEP is committed to strengthening U.S. manufacturing and our impacts illustrate how we have helped thousands of manufacturers grow and become more competitive.

Top Challenges Manufacturers Face

MEP clients were recently asked to identify the top three challenges their companies face.  For six years now more than 41,000 clients have responded. The challenges they identify provide an interesting portrait of the hardships they face.

New Business to Business Projects Will Support Manufacturers

Recently, MEP awarded $2.5 million in grants to pilot online regional business-to-business network projects. The networks will help connect manufacturers with larger corporations, improving the productivity of our domestic supply chains.

Check Out These Stories About What Manufacturing is Really Like

Client Success Story: Q & D Manufacturing Corp Q&D provides service and products to other manufacturers including custom plastic molding, cable assembly, and electromechanical assembly. Q&D is located in Hillsboro, Oregon and currently has 27 permanent employees. The company reached out to MEP for assistance in market expansion. Oregon MEP worked with Q&D and provided Lean and technical training as well as support in marketing and strategic planning. Results: Created 25 new jobs Annual sales increased from $140K to $1M Cost savings of over $200K Capital investment of over $30K Became a supplier to a 2 new supply chain markets. To learn more about this success story, click here.

Video: Manufacturing Has a Home for Everyone "If you think it's the old Ford assembly line, you haven't been staying in touch with manufacturing. Manufacturing has a home for almost everyone..." Listen to the case that this manufacturing leader makes for innovation and manufacturing careers.  Click here to view the video.

Infographic: Facts about Manufacturing Facts about Manufacturing contains industry, workforce and manufacturing data and statistics showing the critical role of manufacturing in the U.S. economy. Click here to view the infographic.

In case you missed our first newsletter last fall, you can read a copy of it here.

Sincerely,

MEP - Manufacturing Extension Partnership

www.nist.gov/mep