August 2020
Manufacturing
Update
The Manufacturing Update is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter from Industry Expansion Solutions with up-to-date manufacturing news. Below you can view past issues.
Lead Stories
Services Funding Available for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Through recent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funding, NCMEP has launched the Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) to provide services that support manufacturers’ ability to respond to the coronavirus and improve their competitiveness as the market adapts to the disruption. Please respond to this survey so we can determine your eligibility for funded services as well as the impact COVID-19 may have had on your business.
NCMEP Partner Helps Manufacturing Client Expand International Presence
Learn how NCMEP Partner EDPNC provided services to enable PEMMCO Manufacturing to expand into international markets, hire five new employees, realize $400K in new sales and invest $350K into a facility upgrade.
Leadership Essentials for Frontline Leaders Certificate Program
IES created the Leadership Essentials for Frontline Leaders certificate program with the mission to develop leaders that inspire, coach and motivate employees to reach their fullest potential. (Note: We are positioned to deliver this program in person, but are prepared to deliver it virtually if circumstances change.)
NCAfE Welcomes Examiners for the 2020 Award Cycle
The North Carolina Awards for Excellence (NCAfE) welcomes 11 examiners for the 2020 award cycle. Six are new examiners and five are returning to the program from the prior year.
Making Protective Equipment is a Lifeline for Some NC Manufacturers
Phil Mintz, executive director for NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director for the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP,) weighs in on the discussion that making protective equipment during COVID-19 has been a lifeline for some NC manufacturers.
NCDIDI Webinar Series
The North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NCDIDI) and NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions are pleased to announce a series of webinars during the month of September 2020. The webinars will cover several topics to assist defense contractors and manufacturers in the DoD supply chain.
Advanced Technological Education Coordination Network
NC State University’s Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), the administrator for the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), has received a grant to establish a National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education Coordination Network (ATE-CN) to develop and advance technician training at the convergence of robotics/automation and cybersecurity.
MFGCON 2020 is Being Rescheduled
The sixth annual MFGCON is being rescheduled due to COVID-19 concerns. The conference will take place in May 2021 at the Durham Convention Center in Durham, North Carolina. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Leadership and Organizational Development Solutions
IES has new solutions to help your organization overcome common and complex challenges. If you need help enhancing your company culture, developing your talent strategy, cultivating your company’s leadership, or optimizing organizational performance, IES has the tools and training to get your organization moving in the right direction.
NCMEP Competitiveness Review
Want to know where your organization stands competitively amongst your peers? NCMEP is offering a competitiveness review which reveals your organization’s limiting factors and provides a snapshot comparison to other companies. There is no cost to you as a North Carolina manufacturer. Our goal is to assist you in building a road map to improve competitiveness performance and your bottom line.
Protecting Your Business From Cybersecurity Threats
Working from home means that manufacturers and others need to revisit and heighten their cyber security protocols to account for remote working conditions. Not doing so could leave a company vulnerable to forms of cyberattack that are emerging in response to the changing landscape of how we work. Learn how to combat cyberthreats and secure your business going forward.
Coolest Thing Made in NC Contest
NCMEP is proud to announce its participation as a supporting organization for the NC Chamber’s “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest. The contest, designed to celebrate the innovation, creativity and importance of our state’s manufacturers, opens for nominations today and closes on August 20, 2020. Official voting begins on August 24 and the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” winner will be announced on October 2, 2020.
Don’t Miss Out on This Month’s Webinars
Join us for the final two installments of the MNC Network Summer Webinar Series. On August 11 at 11 a.m., the assistant director of technology management at NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), Kevin Grayson, will present the Finding New Innovations (Part 2) webinar. He’ll be building off part one and looking at a couple of tools and methods to boost innovation. Register for the webinar »
The final webinar of the MNC Network series will be held on August, 26 at 11 a.m. The Navigating Uncharted Waters–How to Adapt Your Culture to Support Your New Covid-19 Safety Practices webinar will be presented by IES project and organizational development extension specialist Tina Bennefield. Discover how to use six sources of influence to build accountability for practicing new behaviors. Register for the webinar »
New Episodes of Clocking In—Voices of NC Manufacturing
In the June episode of Clocking In, NCMEP’s Phil MIntz talks with the owner of Mertek Solutions, Jerry Pedley, about the creation of Mertek Solutions, Pedley’s outreach efforts, how Mertek Solutions is working through the pandemic and how the business has pivoted to making PPE. Listen Now »
In the latest episode, Mintz talks to the Director of the NC State Economic Development Partnership, Tom White. White talks about the purpose of the NC State Economic Development Partnership, his role, how his mentors shaped who he is today and how the pandemic is affecting economic development in North Carolina. Listen Now »
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We engineer success for manufacturing businesses one solution at a time by understanding our clients’ needs and then crafting meaningful and sustainable solutions to address their business requirements. Through our tailored programs and research-based, time-tested methodologies, we provide solutions to assist in strategic direction, improve performance and processes and address top line growth. We collaborate with clients to develop and implement comprehensive services and solutions across:
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