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  <title>What’s Coming for US Manufacturing in 2025</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/whats-coming-us-manufacturing-2025</link>
  <description>  The U.S. manufacturing industry is evolving at a rapid pace, driven by new technologies, smarter supply chains, and an increasingly dynamic workforce. In 2025 small manufacturers will face a mix of opportunities and challenges as they navigate these changes. To stay competitive, small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) will need to integrate cutting-edge technologies that were once only a realty for larger enterprises and train their workforce on how to use these technologies. Here's a breakdown of our key predictions for 2025 and what manufacturers can expect. Reshoring and Stronger

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  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>G. Nagesh Rao, Jyoti K. Malhotra </dc:creator>
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  <title>How Smaller Manufacturers Can Leverage Reshoring Opportunities for Growth</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/how-smaller-manufacturers-can-leverage-reshoring-opportunities</link>
  <description>  In recent years, reshoring — the process of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — has gained momentum. Companies are reevaluating their offshore supply chains, driven by rising costs, geopolitical risks, and supply chain disruptions. For smaller manufacturers, this shift also presents a unique opportunity to position themselves as key players in the rebuilding of domestic supply chains . The information in this blog introduces key insights and strategies which we explore in our latest white paper, How U.S. Manufacturers Can Take Advantage of Reshoring . Topics in the white paper include

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  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Nathan Ginty</dc:creator>
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  <title>How to Find the Right Balance of Data for Your Industrial AI System</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/how-find-right-balance-data-your-industrial-ai-system</link>
  <description>  This blog is the second in a four-part series on the beginner’s guide to Industrial Artificial Intelligence applications. Understanding the inner workings of your Industrial Artificial Intelligence (IAI) system is crucial if you want it to add measurable value to your manufacturing operations. In this blog, we will dig into one important aspect of every AI — the inputs, a.k.a. your data. Including the right type and the right amount of data is key to success when it comes to AI. To understand the full potential of an IAI system, it’s important to look at what data, assumptions, rules, and

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  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Michael Sharp</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1874151</guid>
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  <title>Rethink Your Supply Chain Strategy for Better Outcomes</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/rethink-your-supply-chain-strategy-better-outcomes</link>
  <description>  Traditional approaches to supply chain management, which often emphasize cost-per-unit, no longer provide the flexibility manufacturers need to create the innovative solutions necessary for achieving long-term success. In today’s highly competitive manufacturing environment, optimizing supplier relationships requires more than just negotiating the lowest price: It’s essential to move beyond transactional vendor relationships and focus on building strategic partnerships. Imagine transforming your supply chain into a dynamic network where collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared

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  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Nathan Ginty</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1872051</guid>
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  <title>From the Garden State to the Magnolia State: Mississippi Polymer Institute Provides Solutions to Technology Challenges</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/garden-state-magnolia-state-mississippi-polymer-institute</link>
  <description>  As a manufacturer, you sometimes face technical challenges beyond the scope of your in-house expertise or experience. It is important to focus on finding the right partners and advisors to help you navigate these obstacles and remain competitive. The Mississippi Polymer Institute ( MPI ), based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is one of those resources. MPI is a regional office of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP, Mississippi MEP), which is part of the MEP National Network TM. MPI is a non-profit industrial outreach organization housed at the

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  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1867956</guid>
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  <title>Back to Basics: Simple Questions for Assessing Industrial Artificial Intelligence Applications</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/back-basics-simple-questions-assessing-industrial-artificial</link>
  <description>  This blog is the first in a four-part series on the beginner’s guide to Industrial Artificial Intelligence applications. Welcome knowledge seeker! Do you feel dazzled and awed by the great potential of Artificial Intelligence aka AI? Perhaps hesitant or lost when words like ‘convolution,’ ‘deep learning,’ or ‘autoencoder’ are thrown around? Well, fear not, friend, for you have come to just the right place! You don’t need to be a computer wizard or a super genius to understand how using AI can impact your system and, more importantly, if using it is worth the investment. This is a multi-part

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  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Michael Sharp</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1867091</guid>
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  <title>Manufacturing Day: Engaging Youth and the Young at Heart</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/manufacturing-day-engaging-youth-and-young-heart</link>
  <description>  Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to showcase the high-tech nature of manufacturing careers and inspire the next generation of talent.

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1862036</guid>
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  <title>Understanding Federal and State Child Labor Laws</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/understanding-federal-and-state-child-labor-laws</link>
  <description>  This blog is part of a series on compliance with federal child labor laws in manufacturing. Our nation’s foundational child labor laws – provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) – were passed to ensure that when children work, that work doesn’t jeopardize a child’s safety, welfare, or educational opportunities. Yet at the federal level, the U.S. Department of Labor has uncovered an alarming increase in violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions. In February 2023, the Department’s Wage and Hour Division , which enforces federal child labor laws

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  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Patty Davidson </dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1861381</guid>
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  <title>Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers: How Building Community Helps Build Your Business</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/marketing-strategies-manufacturers-how-building-community-helps</link>
  <description>  Networking and community building should be part of your mix when marketing for manufacturers. Read our blog to learn why.

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Megan Militello</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1858761</guid>
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  <title>Lisa Dach: Bringing Change to Manufacturing</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/lisa-dach-bringing-change-manufacturing</link>
  <description>  “There is a tremendous opportunity for women to influence the manufacturing industry in a positive way,” says Lisa Dach, the strategic business advisor at the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC), part of the Pennsylvania MEP and the MEP National Network TM . “Women in leadership improve the recruiting and retention efforts of manufacturers.” Dach is making her mark in the industry by creating and implementing solutions for Pennsylvania manufacturers, including improving processes and increasing efficiencies. She helps manufacturers connect and collaborate with industry experts and

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1857366</guid>
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  <title>Building the Quantum Technology Supply Chain With MATTR</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/building-quantum-technology-supply-chain-mattr</link>
  <description>  How do you build the supply chain for the emerging field of quantum technology? Look to NIST’s MATTR service, which can determine the capabilities needed.

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Marlon Walker , David Boulay</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1856471</guid>
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  <title>Alyssa Rodrigues: Forging a New Path for Women and Small Manufacturers in Alaska</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/alyssa-rodrigues-forging-new-path-women-and-small-manufacturers</link>
  <description>  For Alyssa Rodrigues, director of the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) , helping women achieve success in manufacturing is more than a job, it’s a calling. “You know a lot of us, especially women, we make things,” Alyssa says. “We make jewelry, we make clothing, we manufacture on a very small scale – things for ourselves and things for our family and friends. And when you expand that, you’re a manufacturer.” Alyssa says diversity is important to the future of manufacturing, especially when it comes to including women at the leadership level. This is why she and her Alaska MEP

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1854071</guid>
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  <title>Child Labor Law Compliance in the Manufacturing Industry</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/child-labor-law-compliance-manufacturing-industry</link>
  <description>  For the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, protecting children in the workplace is our top priority. The Division is responsible for enforcing foundational labor standards, including the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. We know safe first jobs allow young people to develop skills, earn money, and gain valuable experience—these are the kinds of good jobs that can put

</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Patty Davidson </dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1853266</guid>
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  <title>Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity – How to protect your investment</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/industry-40-and-cybersecurity-how-protect-your-investment</link>
  <description>  Digital transformations are notoriously difficult for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). SMMs need to meet production goals, recruit and retain talent, and reduce risks in their supply chains all while trying to adapt to an evolving technological landscape. Fortunately, Industry 4.0 is gaining momentum to address these challenges by providing pathways to efficiencies, innovation and growth. As a result, more manufacturers are investing in automation and equipment monitoring. Industry 4.0 may be a game changer for SMMs; however, it is not a panacea for all the challenges facing 21 st

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Pat Toth</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1852561</guid>
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  <title>Tap into a new talent pool to fill your workforce gaps: Second chance citizens</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/tap-new-talent-pool-fill-your-workforce-gaps-second-chance</link>
  <description>  Learn how Purdue MEP's Manufacturing Skills for Success (MS4S) program equips second chance citizens with vital manufacturing skills to transition into the workforce.

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Joseph (Joe) T. McMurry</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1851406</guid>
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  <title>The MEP National Network’s Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network: Helping Manufacturers Bridge Gaps</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/mep-national-networks-supply-chain-optimization-and-intelligence</link>
  <description>  When a foreign company wants to manufacture goods in the U.S., it needs new domestic suppliers for just about everything. When such an initiative involves new technology, it creates even more opportunities for a regional ecosystem and associated supply chains. Topsoe is a Danish energy company that is slated to build a $400 million Electrolyzer facility in Chesterfield, Virginia. Their technology utilizes renewable electricity from sources like solar and wind power to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This creates green hydrogen, a clean and carbon-neutral fuel. It is designed

</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Joe Edmondson, Nathan Ginty, Mark Schmit</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1849701</guid>
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  <title>Leading the MEP Program – and Giving Back to this Land of Hope and Promise</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/leading-mep-program-and-giving-back-land-hope-and-promise</link>
  <description>  This blog is part of a series celebrating and sharing the stories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander manufacturing leaders. As Acting Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), I am embracing my inner “tech Lego nerd” to build wondrous endeavors with my colleagues that support the Make it in America ethos. I am a first generation American who has spent time in my career venturing on deep-tech startups, strategizing intellectual property portfolios for large-scale international textile original equipment

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>G. Nagesh Rao</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1849691</guid>
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  <title>Empowering Women Will Create a Culture That Benefits All</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/empowering-women-will-create-culture-benefits-all</link>
  <description>  Women make up nearly half of the working population in the United States but are underrepresented in the manufacturing industry. According to Women in the Workplace , women constitute approximately one-third of the manufacturing workforce and only 24% of manufacturing C-suite positions. Manufacturers have been aware of the employment gender gap for years, yet the dynamic remains largely unchanged. This is, in part, because organizational culture in America is often reactive rather than strategic. Companies often apply band-aids to workplace issues that arise, rather than exploring root causes

</description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Kristen Goodell</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1847421</guid>
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  <title>Right Where I Belong: Creating a Place for Myself in Manufacturing</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/right-where-i-belong-creating-place-myself-manufacturing</link>
  <description>  I knew I wanted to work in a manufacturing environment the whole time I was earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering. I’ve come a long way in manufacturing since, and (with an MBA to boot) I am now an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in various industries including textiles, carbon materials, and coatings. In 2019, I became President of Aurora Specialty Textiles in Yorkville, Illinois. Founded in 1883, Aurora’s core strength is the application of water-based coatings and finishes to fabrics. Aurora’s domestic manufacturing capabilities in

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  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Marcia Ayala</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1845656</guid>
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  <title>NIST Explores AI-Enhanced Monitoring in Manufacturing Processes</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/nist-explores-ai-enhanced-monitoring-manufacturing-processes</link>
  <description>  American manufacturing is associated with high-quality standards meant to ensure both the reliability and longevity of the products produced. Manufacturers across all industries are looking for technological solutions and enhancements to continue to meet these high-bar standards and to maintain their competitive advantage. The growing connectivity of devices, coupled with high demands of production and precision, mandate robust monitoring and control systems. As the digital age blossoms, it’s no surprise to anyone that a full suite of ever-evolving technologies is rising up to provide

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Michael Sharp</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1845541</guid>
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  <title>Making it Happen in a Man’s World</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/making-it-happen-mans-world</link>
  <description>  With a career of more than 40 years in the manufacturing industry, I can look back now and see that I was greatly influenced by my father, who worked for an engineering firm. He shared his vast mechanical know-how with me. The two of us worked on many projects together, including rebuilding my car’s engine – an experience that wasn’t common among my peers at the time. Deep manufacturing roots During my teen years, I worked for Vermeer Corporation , a global manufacturer of industrial and agricultural machines . I also watched the production lines at the Rolscreen site of the Pella Corporation

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  <pubDate>Sat, 30 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Brenda Martin</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1845061</guid>
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  <title>If You Build It, They Will Come – Opening Day Musings From a Baseball Fan</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-opening-day-musings-baseball-fan</link>
  <description>  Baseball’s Opening Day brings with it both nostalgia and excitement. You don’t have to be a die-hard fan to appreciate the dedicated folks who leave work early, grab a cold beer and a hot dog, and feel the buzz of excitement as the players take the field for the first game of the season. Everyone is brimming with hope for what the season might hold. On Opening Day, every fan and every team are on the same level. And no matter what, it’s a fun time with family and friends. Many of my favorite memories come from America’s pastime. Everything has to be made When I joined the National Institute of

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  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Andrew Nobleman</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1844256</guid>
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  <title>Rachel Camarillo: Blazing a Trail for Women in Manufacturing</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/rachel-camarillo-blazing-trail-women-manufacturing</link>
  <description>  This blog is part of a series highlighting women who are making an impact on the manufacturing industry. When Rachel Camarillo was a little girl growing up in Hawaii, she helped her mother and two aunts with what they called a hobby. They’d draw flowers, screen print the art onto fabric, and cut and sew the fabric meticulously into kitchen sets they’d sell at craft fairs. “It was an intensive process for a hobby now that I look back on it,” she says. “I remember the hours of getting the screen print just right, stuffing the potholders, sewing into the wee hours of the night, and then

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  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1841876</guid>
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  <title>In Manufacturing, Hoarding Labor Is a Good Thing, Actually</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/manufacturing-hoarding-labor-good-thing-actually</link>
  <description>  I was listening to a recent NPR podcast where they brought up a term that was new to me: labor hoarding. And while the term generally has a negative connotation — meaning, you’re paying to keep talent that isn’t necessarily fully utilized — I think in modern manufacturing it’s critical. When nearly 80% of employers say it’s hard to fill roles — a 17 year high! — companies better think twice before laying off any team members unless it’s absolutely necessary. But there’s more to the story than just collecting people. Your company needs not just to acquire talent but actively keep it. In an era

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  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Matt Fieldman</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1842911</guid>
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  <title>When a Friendly Check-In Call Changes Your Career Path</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/when-friendly-check-call-changes-your-career-path</link>
  <description>  As CEO of International Filter Manufacturing Corporation (IFM), I lead an air filtration manufacturing and distribution company that serves customers worldwide. We’re based in Litchfield, Illinois, where our company’s manufacturing facility remains. We have expanded operations across the Midwest, with an office located in Omaha, Nebraska. The company was founded by Cecilia Ewing, a self-taught filtration entrepreneur with a strong desire to increase small business sales to the federal government. Ms. Ewing (later Ewing-Hayes) worked diligently to initially serve as a manufacturer’s

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  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Karen Watson</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1841226</guid>
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  <title>How to Avoid 3 Common Missteps in Pursuing International Sales</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/how-avoid-3-common-missteps-pursuing-international-sales</link>
  <description>  The fact that about 85% of the global market is outside the U.S. should alone be a compelling enough reason for manufacturers to pursue international sales. Exporting allows manufacturers to diversify their customer base, tap into new markets, and mitigate the impact of economic fluctuations in any one region. But the benefits of exporting go far beyond financial gains. They include long-term strategic advantages that contribute to the growth and sustainability of your business. Embracing a global perspective fosters innovation and acts as a catalyst for efficiency improvements. It introduces

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  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Lisa Henderson, Michael Stone</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1840251</guid>
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  <title>What Black History Month Means to Me</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/what-black-history-month-means-me</link>
  <description>  I thought a lot about what to write in honor of Black History Month. We often hear stories and quotes from heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. While these individuals are worthy of praise, I wanted to share something more personal. So, I thought I’d share what Black history is to me. Not just one month out of the year When I was in school, February was when the stories and history of people who looked like me were amplified. Maybe this was the only time some kids heard these stories, but not me. My parents and grandparents made sure to teach me about Black

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  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Tiffany Stovall</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1839346</guid>
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  <title>North Carolina MEP Brought Me Back Home 25 Years Ago</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/north-carolina-mep-brought-me-back-home-25-years-ago</link>
  <description>  As Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), located on the campus of North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, North Carolina, I drive outreach to North Carolina manufacturers, build relationships with federal and state leaders, and coordinate efforts to stimulate profitable manufacturing growth in the state. Working at NCMEP was a homecoming for me — I did my undergraduate degree at NC State. My career took a winding path for a while, away from my home state and away from manufacturing. But 25 years ago, an ad in the paper for an MEP position

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  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Phil Mintz</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1838866</guid>
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  <title>Integrating Sustainability: Insights from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/integrating-sustainability-insights-wisconsin-sustainable</link>
  <description>  Manufacturers are under increasing pressure from consumers, retailers, investors, and regulatory agencies to act on sustainability and to verify the sustainability of their products and practices. Given the array of issues related to sustainability, navigating the demands can be complex and resource-intensive. For well over a decade, Wisconsin has been working on a solution that cuts through the complexity and helps companies develop and enhance their sustainability or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) actions, saving them time and money and helping retain customers, find new

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  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Jessy Servi Ortiz</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1838606</guid>
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<item>
  <title>Manufacturing Internships Expand the Talent Pipeline</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/manufacturing-internships-expand-talent-pipeline</link>
  <description>  Manufacturing internships are one of the most effective methods for building your company’s talent pipeline. In my role as project manager for workforce programs at Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) , I help manufacturers build their pipeline of manufacturing talent with an internship program focused on students from diverse, underrepresented groups. This is one of the many workforce-related programs offered across the MEP National Network ™ by MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico. Small and medium-sized manufacturers may find it challenging to

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Mayra S. Ramirez</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1837771</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Mapping Your Supply Chains Helps Prioritize Risks, Actions</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/mapping-your-supply-chains-helps-prioritize-risks-actions</link>
  <description>  As a manufacturer you understand that supply chain disruptions happen all the time. What you don’t know is when or how they will impact your operation and business. But assessing your supply chain risks and implementing good supply chain management practices can be daunting. This is especially true if you are among the many manufacturers that do not have dedicated supply chain personnel or formal training and tools for supply chain and inventory management. Fortunately, there is a great way to gain visibility into your supply chain with a reasonable investment of resources: Map the supply

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Melissa Burant, Marc Schneider</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1836346</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Precision Machine &amp;amp; Manufacturing Improves Oversight, Production and Sales Processes Through Continuous Improvement Principles</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/precision-machine-manufacturing-improves-oversight-production</link>
  <description>  Precision Machine &amp;amp; Manufacturing (PMM) was established in 1997. Based in Eugene, Oregon, this manufacturer has been setting the industry standards for designing, manufacturing, rebuilding and repairing extreme-duty rotary valves and feeders. Industries served include cement, pulp, paper, wood products, coal/biomass, and oil and gas industries. PMM recently made leadership changes to improve oversight, production and sales processes. It established a corporate strategy, bolstered by new leadership, and identified significant top-line growth opportunities. To take advantage of these growth

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1835516</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Increasing C-Suite Financial Literacy for Manufacturing Success</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/increasing-c-suite-financial-literacy-manufacturing-success</link>
  <description>  Without a basic grasp of financial concepts at the C-suite (executive) level, small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) may be limited in their ability to compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace. This is why financial literacy is near and dear to my heart. As a former manufacturer myself, I understand how SMMs impact the way we live, work and play. As CEO of Manex Consulting, I work with many SMMs through California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) , which is part of the MEP National Network ™. Your local MEP Center offers a powerful combination of knowledge and resources

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Gene Russell</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1834471</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>What You Should Know About the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/what-you-should-know-about-supply-chain-optimization-and</link>
  <description>  The 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers that make up the MEP National Network™ work to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) within the United States. Although each MEP Center operates independently and caters to the needs of its local manufacturing community, they share a common mission: assisting manufacturers, in various ways, to improve and succeed in today’s dynamic business environment. Officially launched on June 1, 2023, the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) expands the MEP National Network’s scope from

</description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Nathan Ginty</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1833866</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Need a Green Workforce? Look No Further than the Manufacturing Extension Partnership</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/need-green-workforce-look-no-further-manufacturing-extension</link>
  <description>  45% annual growth. It’s a number that could make any workforce or economic development professional’s eyes pop out of their sockets. I was literally blown away by that number, which is the expected annual growth rate of the demand for wind turbine service technicians. This profession is just one of many new green job industries growing throughout the United States. And though the job is relatively challenging – lugging 50 pounds of gear up long ladders into confined spaces, traveling constantly to remote parts of the country, and dealing with all types of weather – it also pays $80,000

</description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Matt Fieldman</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1833466</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>FastLane Helps Triangle Precision Increase Capacity With Automation</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/fastlane-helps-triangle-precision-increase-capacity-automation</link>
  <description>  Triangle Precision, located in Kettering, Ohio, provides close tolerance precision machining, forming, and fabrication to many vital industries including aerospace, defense, high-speed printing, electronics, racing, medical, and automotive. Triangle Precision contacted FastLane , part of the Ohio MEP and the MEP National Network™ , to see how it could leverage automation to improve efficiency and provide more capabilities to new and existing clients in the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) supply chain. It also needed to renew its AS9100 and ITAR certifications. These certifications are

</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1833011</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Expanding on the Success of a Regional Registered Apprenticeship Program</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/expanding-success-regional-registered-apprenticeship-program</link>
  <description>  The current talent pipeline for manufacturing is not adequate to fill existing job openings, let alone the number of skilled workers that will be needed in the future. Emerging demand for data analysts and semiconductor technicians will require a more collaborative approach to expand training opportunities and reach into underrepresented populations to widen the pool of candidates. That’s why the Center for Economic Growth , located in New York state’s Capital Region and part of the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership, joined the Manufacturing Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP

</description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Christine McLear</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1832496</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Video: Heroes of American Manufacturing – Mayville Engineering</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/video-heroes-american-manufacturing-mayville-engineering</link>
  <description>  Small and medium-sized manufacturers know that employees are their most important asset. Without employee commitment, no company can succeed. Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) recognizes this. According to MEC’s Executive Vice President of Fabrication Operations David Higgs, “What embodies MEC most is our mission statement. It’s pride, personal responsibility and daily excellence. Our biggest strength is our people.” At this employee-owned company, the workforce is engaged because the solutions that drive the company’s success benefit them as well. A new video in the Heroes of American

</description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Katie Rapp</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1831946</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Start Your Market Scouting by Reviewing Your Value Proposition</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/start-your-market-scouting-reviewing-your-value-proposition</link>
  <description>  Technology-driven market intelligence ( TDMI) is a technology acceleration service developed for the MEP National Network ™ by RTI International to help small and medium-sized manufacturers refine their strategic direction and market validation. This helps firms stay competitive and grow their businesses. Gathering market intelligence can be daunting, especially since you are not just looking at recent trends, but attempting to determine where the market is headed. Market research and a proper TDMI assessment require significant time and expertise you may not have in-house. Your local MEP

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator>Cindy Matsuki</dc:creator>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1830841</guid>
  </item>
<item>
  <title>Illuminating Possibilities to Achieve ISO Certification</title>
  <link>https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/illuminating-possibilities-achieve-iso-certification</link>
  <description>  Enova Illumination, a client of Enterprise Minnesota (Minnesota MEP), is a leading provider of LED surgical headlights, magnification systems, and other visualization solutions for healthcare professionals. The company was founded in 2006 to address the limitations of traditional fiber-optic surgical headlights. Enova employs 50 people and operates from a single location in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When Enova Illumination Vice President of Operations Jeremy Ward contacted Enterprise Minnesota, part of the MEP National Network™ , the company had been using an older quality management system (QMS

</description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <dc:creator/>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.nist.gov/node/1830441</guid>
  </item>

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