North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions Branches out for Manufacturing Day 

National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) was originally conceived as a celebration of manufacturing in America. However, due to the growing popularity of the event, organizers decided to extend the festivities into a full month of activity. While the date may vary from region to region, the central theme remains the same: each October, thousands of people gather to learn about new technologies, highlight career opportunities in manufacturing and celebrate American manufacturing. On National Manufacturing Day, companies host open houses where visitors can tour factories and meet employees. In addition to these educational opportunities, participants participate in competitions such as robot-building contests and product design challenges. Read about the companies IES visited on MFG Day »

NEW! Subscribe to the NC State IES Calendar

Do you want to keep up to date with the latest NC State IES events? Subscribe to the NC State IES Events Calendar! To subscribe to the NC State IES Events Calendar, visit the Upcoming Events page on the IES website and click ‘Subscribe to Calendar’  at the bottom of the page. We’ll see you at our next event.

Save the Date: MFGCON 23

It’s official! North Carolina’s premiere manufacturing conference, MFGCON, is being held on April 20–21, 2023 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. During two days, speakers and industry experts will help companies identify new ways to improve their operations and increase productivity. Attendees at MFGCON  get access to cutting-edge solutions and innovative ideas that can help them streamline processes and reduce costs. Stay tuned for more information.

Coolest Thing Made in NC Winners

On October 6, the long-awaited winners of the Coolest Thing Made in NC contest were announced. The online contest held by the NC Chamber began with 80 nominees and after three rounds of public voting totaling 46,000 votes, the Caterpillar Cat® track loader and beachBub umbrella system earned the top spots, earning 6,397 and 5,436 votes respectively. Congratulations to the winners and all the nominees.

Deadline Approaching: Rural Works Internship Host

Are you a rural manufacturer interested in hosting an internship? The Rural Works! internship program supports NC State University’s commitment to social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina by offering an engaging internship experience for high-caliber engineering students who work with employers to achieve their workplace goals in rural counties. The deadline to fill out the employer interest form is October 31. Sign Up Here »

Coming Soon: Phil Mintz Featured in the NC State University College of Engineering Magazine

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) director Phil Mintz will be featured in the upcoming edition of the NC State College of Engineering Magazine. Mintz discusses IES’ mission, the processes of companies partnering with IES, how IES has evolved and more.

New Episode: Clocking In – Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing

In the October episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with Dr. Jenni Harris. She is the executive director of Business Services at the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Workforce Solutions division. Mintz and Dr. Harris discuss what type of solutions the North Carolina Department of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division provides, how her experience as a business owner with employees helps with her leadership of the Business Services unit, Dr. Harris’ favorite books and more. Listen Now »

Workforce Challenges—Tools to Overcome Webinar

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of August 2022, there are 11.2 million job openings in America. To say this is a problem is an understatement. North Carolina manufacturers struggle to find skilled, motivated workers to fill vacant positions resulting in a supply chain cycle and economic inflation issues. Join NC State IES on Tuesday, October 18 at 9–10 a.m. for the Workforce Challenges—Tools to Overcome Webinar. Learn what labor trends affect the Piedmont region in North Carolina and solutions you may not have considered. Register Today »

Building a More Collaborative Advanced Textiles Ecosystem Forum

Hosted by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) and North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES). Learn about NC State’s Department of Defense (DoD) Advanced Textiles Program. Become aware of statewide resources to support small to medium textile companies. Meet influencers, researched, innovators, and advanced materials researchers, robotics/automation experts and NC textile manufacturers. Explore opportunities for technology growth and productive partnering. Share in workforce recruitment strategies. Learn More »

Manufacturing Meetup

You are invited to join an informal but informative zoom conversation to discuss challenges and opportunities to engage with your manufacturing industry peers.

Each month a hot topic will be selected and you are encouraged to bring questions and ideas for discussion. This monthly series will rotate topics and hosts throughout the year.

Please join us Friday, October 27, 9–10 a.m.

The Business Impact of Ergonomics Webinar

According to the National Safety Council, the average American spends almost $3,500 per year on healthcare costs due to occupational injuries or illnesses. These include musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive strain injuries and other ailments caused by poor posture at work. Join us on Tuesday, November 15 from 11 a.m.–noon for the Business Impact of Ergonomics webinar. Julia Abate, CPE, the executive director for The Ergonomics Center at NC State University, will speak about how proper ergonomics training can save thousands of workers and businesses every year. Register Today »

IES Employee Spotlight: Mitch Poteat

Mitch Poteat is the regional manager serving the Research Triangle region of North Carolina for NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES). IES is the Industrial Extension Service for the NC State University College of Engineering. Mitch is responsible for Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren counties. Learn more about Mitch »