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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Advanced Technical Skills Training Leads to Improved Productivity for Purdue MEP Client

With the help of: Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership

About

Since 1943, MSP Manufacturing of Bloomington, Indiana, has manufactured precision machined products for the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries. It has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence with virtually all corporate, commercial, general, and military aircraft containing their components. Recently, MSP has expanded into other industries, including medical, automotive, and sanitation. They are NADCAP, ISO9001, AS9100, ITAR, Boeing, and FAA certified.

The Challenge

MSP’s business increased by 30% in the last year. Employees needed additional CNC training to reduce the time required to manufacture some components and keep pace with this growth. MSP also needed validation of some quality management system (QMS) administration to reduce administrative overhead. Additionally, the primary dimension inspection person needed training to prepare him to cross-train other employees and improve the quality inspection throughput.
Supported with the expertise of Purdue MEP and the financial assistance of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, MSP Manufacturing has substantially benefited not only through the upskilling of our employees but the increase our business overall.
— Johnny Goode, President

MEP's Role

Purdue MEP worked with MSP to develop a training program that raised the skill level of their employees to support the growing business. The team completed AS9100D Internal Auditor Training to identify areas of improvement, efficiency, and administrative work reduction. In addition, Purdue MEP provided technical skills training for two areas of MSP’s operations including the Mastercam CNC machine and a Faro Arm coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The intention was to improve the workers' knowledge of these machines and enable cross-training to advance CMM implementation to the production floor so that quality checks are completed during production.

MSP realized several beneficial outcomes of the trainings including a $50,000 gain in improved productivity as well as increased sales of 5-10%. In total, two new positions were created at the organization, eight employees received advanced technical skills training, and 2 employees are trained as AS9100D internal auditors. Among other benefits, they are also seeing a 25% time savings during the quality inspection process, allowing the quality department to focus on value-add opportunities.

Created November 2, 2024