Small manufacturers are critical to the health of the U.S. economy. Through a nationwide network of more than 400 locally run, not-for-profit centers, NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps such companies access expertise typically only available to larger firms. MEP shows small businesses how to improve their products and profits with lean manufacturing, better employee training, and adoption of new technologies. MEP centers work with companies in all industries. Most have fewer than 500 employees.