April 2022

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.

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MFGCON 22 Early Bird Special and Manufacturer Discount

MFGCON 22 is almost a month away! Attend the premier North Carolina manufacturing conference at a discount by taking advantage of MFGCON’s Early Bird Special to get $100 off. The offer is valid through April 22. NCMEP also offers $100 tickets to the first 100 manufacturers to register for the conference (use registration code EBMFG100 – for qualified manufacturers). Look for the “Have a Code?” link on the registration page when using the code. This year’s MFGCON is being held in Durham, NC at the Durham Convention Center on May 18–19, 2022. Register to attend today »

Workforce Challenges — Tools to Overcome Webinar

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of January 2022, there are 11.3 million job openings in America. To say this is a problem is an understatement. North Carlina manufacturers are struggling to find skilled, motivated workers to fill vacant positions resulting in a cycle of supply chain and economic inflation issues. Join NC State IES on April 26 at 11 a.m. for the Workforce Challenges—Tools to Overcome Webinar. Learn what labor trends affect Eastern North Carolina and solutions you may not have considered. Register Today »

Has NC State IES Helped Your Organization? Let Us Know How We Did Through the MEP Client Survey

Each quarter an average of 40 NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) clients can provide IES and our national partner (MEP) with wonderful, lasting stories about the improvements made through their collaboration with IES in projects and programs delivered. Learn how to participate in the survey process »

New Episode of Clocking In—Voices of NC Manufacturing

In the March episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with Bleep Sleep Founder, Executive Chairman and Head of R&D/Product Design Stuart Heatherington and CEO and President of Bleep Sleep Rebecca Holland New. They discuss the invention of Bleep Sleep’s Dreamport, how Stuart came up with the concept of Bleep Sleep, how Rebecca optimizes her years of expertise to take Bleep Sleep to new heights and more. Listen Now »

IES Presents: Cyber Resilience—Moving from Reactive to Proactive Course

NC State Industry Expansion Solutions has created a free cyber security course entitled “Cyber Resilience—Moving from Reactive to Proactive”. This course is designed to educate and provide resources for those seeking to learn proactive measures they can take now to reduce cyber risks. View the course here »

SafetyGuardian Newsletter

SafetyGuardian is a resource for continuous improvement in safety and health from the Southeastern OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Stay up-to-date with health and safety, OSHA, HazMat and HazWOPER news, courses and events. Subscribe Today »

North Carolina Manufacturer Designs Socks in Support of Ukraine

North Carolina sock manufacturer DeFeet has rolled out a new sock to support a Ukraine orphanage. The Hildebran-based manufacturer was inspired by their local friends whose adopted son grew up in a Ukrainian orphanage. His village was invaded during the early stages of the invasion, leaving 53 children and staff members hiding in a bomb shelter. They will donate all the proceeds from the Love for Ukraine sock sale to the orphanage. View socks here »

NCMEP Employee Spotlight: Dr. Evelyn Brown

Evelyn Brown is the extension research and development director for NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES). She leads the research and development effort and works to develop relationships with faculty whose research interests can be applied to solve problems for North Carolina businesses. Evelyn’s efforts also focus on creating opportunities for faculty and students to work on federal, state and agency-funded grants in partnership with IES. She is part of the evaluation services team at IES that provides formative and summative assessments for statewide and grant-funded projects. Learn more about Evelyn »

NCMEP Partner Profile: North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University has a long history of collaborating with North Carolina manufacturers. As a North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership partner, A&T University specializes in helping North Carolina manufacturers partner with A&T engineering students who work with the organization to implement innovative objectives. Read More »

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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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Upcoming Events

Timeout for Safety (Virtual) April 20, 2–2:30 p.m.
Facilitated by NC State IES

Workforce Challenges – Tools to Overcome (Virtual) April 26 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Facilitated by NC State IES

NCMBC Defense Contractors Academy (Virtual) April 26–May 19
Facilitated by NC Military Business Center

MFGCON 22 May 18-19, 2022
Facilitated by NCMEP and Business NC

Featured Courses

Arc Flash Awareness
May 11 | Raleigh, NC

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy, possible injuries from exposure to those hazards, emphasis on safety-related work practices and procedures to provide them protection associated with their respective jobs and task assignments.

ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor Training
May 3-6 | Virtual

Understand how to audit to the standard’s requirements and develop your auditing skills. Our experienced instructor will discuss the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard requirements, facilitate hands-on exercises, and provide guidance on how to audit the ISO 9001:2015 requirements.