Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Today, we thank manufacturers for the many ways they help us enjoy the holiday season. From the festive beverages to the dinnerware and appliances used to cook a delicious meal, manufacturing is a part of every gathering! Happy Thanksgiving!?

Representatives from 11 MEP Centers convened at CEIC GLOBAL East — CyberAB’s CMMC Ecosystem Summit and CMMC Implementation Conference —?along with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) cybersecurity lead Savann Thorn and MEP senior leadership Jyoti Malhotra, Ph.D. Attendees gained valuable insights that can help small and medium-sized manufacturers meet cybersecurity requirements to do business with the United States Department of Defense.? ? Dr. Malhotra also gave a keynote to the more than 800 participants, highlighting MEP’s mission and showcasing cybersecurity-related success stories from MEP Centers across the country that are making a difference.? ? Pictured from left: Anna G. Mumford, CONNSTEP, Inc.; Kevin Kershisnik, Manufacturing Works (Wyoming MEP); Pat Toth; Michael Spurgeon, Missouri Enterprise; Chris Amos, Alabama Technology Network (ATN);?Eugene W. Jones, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); Robert Scipione, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC); COL (Ret) Darold Tippey, TMAC;?Jenni West, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC);?Gina Webb, MEng, ATN;?Adam Lopez, Manufacturing Works; Michael Barker, D.Sc., CISSP, CISA, LPI, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech; Sarah Knapp, TechSolve, Inc.; J Bryant Vásquez, Utah-MEP ;?LaVada Varner, MBA, ATN; Savann Thorn, CISSP, MSBA, PMP, NIST MEP; Jyoti Malhotra, NIST MEP? ? #Cybersecurity #MEPNationalNetwork

Small Business Saturday is this week!? ? Small businesses, including manufacturers, are the backbone of our nation’s economy. Small and medium-sized manufacturers represent nearly 99% of all manufacturers in the United States. They significantly impact the economy and contribute to job creation, employing close to 9% of the U.S. workforce.? ? We encourage everyone to support local small businesses on Nov. 30 and beyond.? ? #SupportSmallBiz #ShopSmall?U.S. Small Business Administration

Manufacturers sometimes face technical challenges beyond the scope of their in-house expertise or experience. The right partners and advisors can help them navigate these obstacles and remain competitive. ? The Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI), a regional office of the?Mississippi Manufacturers Association - Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP) (Mississippi MEP), is a specialty technology resource that fosters business growth through precision testing, third-party quality investigations, product development, scale-up, manufacturing troubleshooting, and specialized workforce training. ? MMA-MEP connected their client, Chromis Technologies, with MPI, which resulted in an extended product line, improved recycling, and scalable production services. ? Learn more about the power of these specialty technology resources: https://lnkd.in/efaPAfM8 ? #technology #MEPNationalNetwork

Representatives from nine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) MEP met at the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE)?for a continuing series of Operational Technology demonstrations with NCCoE’s Dr. Michael Powell and MITRE support. MITRE conducts federally funded research and development and works with government agencies, industry, and academia to solve problems for a safer world. ? Attendees gained deeper insights into industrial control systems and cybersecurity applied research and how it can turn into actionable opportunities to help small and medium-sized manufacturers succeed.?#Cybersecurity #MEPNationalNetwork ? Pictured: Toby M., MITRE; Michael Powell, NCCoE; Eugene W. Jones, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); Chris Amos, Alabama Technology Network (ATN); Robert Scipione, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC); ?COL (Ret) Darold Tippey, TMAC (Texas MEP); Gina Webb, MEng, ATN; J Bryant Vásquez, Utah-MEP ; Kevin Kershisnik, Manufacturing Works (Wyoming MEP); Pat Toth; Adam Lopez, Manufacturing Works; Michael Barker, D.Sc., CISSP, CISA, LPI, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech; LaVada Varner, MBA, ATN; Anna G. Mumford, CONNSTEP, Inc.; Philip Fenimore, MITRE; Savann Thorn, CISSP, MSBA, PMP, NIST MEP; Stephanie Saravia, MITRE; Jenni West, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC); Cherilyn Pascoe, NCCoE

The MEP National Network scouts for hundreds of items from all industries, providing opportunities for small and medium-sized manufacturers to expand and grow. There are currently 32 open supplier scouting opportunities for U.S. manufacturers seeking domestic suppliers. View open opportunities: https://lnkd.in/emi9NRi6 #manufacturing #MEPNationalNetwork #SupplyChain #suppliers #SupplierScouting

MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (part of Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP) and the MEP National Network) is celebrating 40 years of driving innovation and growth in northeast Ohio’s manufacturing sector and looking toward the future. As part of the celebration, MAGNET will showcase stories about northeast Ohio’s manufacturing past, present and future.? “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone and the impact MAGNET has been able to make with the incredible companies and community partners we work with every day,” said Dr. Ethan Karp, MAGNET President and CEO. “As we reflect on the past, we’re also laser-focused on building a future powered by high-tech talent, advanced technology and world-class innovation. A future where northeast Ohio leads the world in smart manufacturing.” Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eBVpnFig? #MEPNationalNetwork

Enterprise Minnesota's (Minnesota MEP) annual State of Manufacturing? survey this year reveals that manufacturing executives’ biggest concerns are inflation, increasing cost of health care, and attracting and retaining a qualified workforce. Find out more about the survey and explore the latest manufacturing trends in Minnesota: https://lnkd.in/epEcBeP #Workforce #Healthcare #Manufacturing?

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November to honor the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native peoples. In recognition of this observance, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is showcasing success stories of Native American-owned businesses.? ? Inspired by her Navajo heritage, designer Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger started?Navajo Spirit Southwestern Wear in?1984. Navajo Spirit began by offering their Native American-inspired clothing line at prestigious art shows. Today, the majority of their sales are generated by their boutique in Gallup, New Mexico. ? Navajo Spirit connected with New Mexico MEP (Manufacturing Extension partnership) to help keep the business moving forward. New Mexico MEP worked with Navajo Spirit on strategic growth, workplace organization, implementation of?new technologies, employee training and business operations.??This resulted in increased sales and productivity as well as the addition of new jobs. ? Read?their success story: https://lnkd.in/eqWEuetW? ? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #MEPNationalNetwork

Filming for the Heroes of American Manufacturing video series has wrapped for this year! Our last stop was West Virginia University Industrial Extension (West Virginia MEP) client Blenko Glass Company, a family-owned and operated company that creates imaginative, colorful handblown glass pieces. Located in Milton, WV since 1921, Blenko has worked with WVU Industrial Extension to help the company grow and thrive. A recent collaboration between the WVU Industrial Extension and Blenko is the Student Design Challenge. Students from West Virginia submitted creative designs in the hope of seeing their artwork transform from a sketch into a beautiful piece of handblown glass. This partnership inspires creativity, supports local talent, and showcases West Virginia's craftsmanship. “The power of the WVU Industrial Extension is a wonderful thing for connecting people,” said Bryson Cutler, Vice President of Blenko Glass Company. Blenko’s video will be released in early 2025! #MEPNationalNetwork #HeroesOfAmericanManufacturing #Workforce