The Minerals Research Laboratory (MRL) is a world leader in research, development, and implementation of mineral processing techniques. The MRL is part of the North Carolina State University College of Engineering, under the management of the NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES). The MRL serves state, regional and international clients.

IES serves as the administrator for the North Carolina Awards for Excellence (NCAfE) program, the top state level recognition presented to an organization that has demonstrated, through its practices and achievements, the highest level of performance excellence by applying the principles of the Baldrige Excellence Framework— the Criteria for Performance Excellence. 

NCAfE welcomed 11 examiners for the 2020 award cycle. Six are new examiners and five are returning to the program from the prior year. 

NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions administers the North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NCDIDI), bringing together partners from industry, academia and government to strengthen the defense industry in North Carolina. A strong project advisory board consisting of local universities, colleges, military business organizations, business services providers, manufacturers and state agencies informs and drives the grant’s statewide efforts. The program has increased awareness of the defense industry, gathered valuable data on defense business supply chains and economic impact and enhanced the competitive position of defense manufacturers and service providers to the Department of Defense. 

Industry Expansion Solutions serves as the lead organization of The Southeastern OSHA Training Institute Education Center (SE OTIEC) in partnership with The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services. Since 2008, the organization has partnered to offer OSHA training throughout the states in Region IV. An OSHA-authorized provider of trainer courses, standards and technical courses as well as two safety certificate programs, the SE OTIEC provides the US Department of Labor OSHA Outreach Training Train-the-Trainer Program, OSHA’s primary means of training employees in the basics of occupational safety and health. Courses are available for construction, general industry, and disaster site safety. The SE OTIEC has authorized more than 2,500 OSHA Outreach Trainers, who subsequently instructed more than 15,000 workers this year. 25 OSHA Outreach Trainers were able to request and receive approval to teach OSHA 10/30 Hour Outreach training in a virtual instructor led training format as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.