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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

MEP is a public-private partnership with Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. Last year, MEP Centers interacted with 34,307 manufacturers, leading to $14.4 billion in sales, $1.5 billion in cost savings, $5.2 billion in new client investments, and helped create or retain 125,746 jobs.

How the Network Helps Manufacturers

Connect with Your Local MEP Center

rolls of steel in a manufactuing facility

Supplier Scouting

woman on a fork lift in a manufacturing facility

Executive Order 14005 on Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers

man working on PPE in a manufacturing facility

All 51 MEP Centers helping U.S. manufacturers make such things as PPE from the $50M Appropriated by Congress

MANUFACTURING VIDEOS: REAL STORIES, REAL RESULTS

For the past 30 years, the MEP National Network^TM has equipped small and medium-sized manufacturers with the resources needed to grow and thrive. Our industry experts work side-by-side with manufacturers to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, develop the next generation workforce, create new products, find new markets and much more. Together, they strengthen communities and U.S. manufacturing. Watch More Videos

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Rapid Application Group — Rapid Application Group (RAG), a client of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance (the MEP Center in Oklahoma and part of the MEP National Network), was founded by a group of seasoned military and additive manufacturing specialists. Started with a $1,000, a napkin sketch and a home office, this manufacturer has seen tremendous growth in just 3 years of existence and is leading the industry in additive manufacturing. RAG is the only disabled, veteran owned, full production 3D printing company in North America. Their story is truly inspiring.

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Texas Injection Molding — Texas Injection Molding, a client of TMAC (the MEP Center in Texas and part of the MEP National Network), provides custom plastic injection molding services for OEM manufacturing and consumer products. This manufacturer offers decades of experience in processing commodity and custom engineered plastic resins and partner with the world’s leading resin manufacturers and custom compounders to bring solutions to complex plastic engineering applications. Its business strategy and operating plan is built upon People, Process Control, and Technology. It is the belief that culture is a strategic advantage and when fostered, an environment where people care for each other they will take care of the equipment, resin, customers and company.

Manufacturing Innovation Blog

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Manufacturers: It’s Time to Move from Operational Excellence to Inclusive Excellence

June 29, 2022

Matt Fieldman

In the wake of the killing of George Floyd two years ago, many organizations and companies made commitments to racial and social justice. Diversity, equity and

Businessman holding and showing the best quality assurance with golden five stars for guarantee product and ISO service concept.

Capturing New Markets

June 23, 2022

Enterprise Minnesota

Galaxy Precision, Inc. is a family-owned precision machine shop with capabilities in CNC milling, CNC turning, and Swiss machining located in Albany, Minnesota

Shot of two young businesswomen shaking hands in a modern office

Rethinking Old Hiring Rules to Achieve a Diverse Workforce

June 14, 2022

Aarin B. Clemons and Lindsey Brickle

Many manufacturers have struggled for years to hire qualified workers. The outlook is for more of the same. With an aging workforce, emerging new technologies

Technology Transfer Acceleration by the MEP National Network

June 3, 2022

Brian A. Weiss

From my standpoint, technology transfer is not easy, especially when attempting to introduce a new capability or technology into the manufacturing sector

man standing on a rock weathering a storm at sea

Weathering the Storm: Workforce Insights from the Gulf Coast Shipbuilders Conference

May 26, 2022

Matt Fieldman

The Gulf Coast’s shipbuilding industry is a case study in resilience. Not only have the manufacturers there survived COVID-19, but during the same two-year span

News and Updates

NIST MEP Helps Manufacturers Respond to the Pandemic and Thrive Despite It

April 5, 2022

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and

NIST Announces Funding Opportunity for Manufacturing Centers in Kentucky, Nebraska, Rhode Island and South Dakota

January 26, 2022

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is accepting applications from eligible

Pravina Raghavan poses with the American flag behind her.

NIST Names Pravina Raghavan New Director of Manufacturing Extension Partnership

December 7, 2021

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected Pravina Raghavan as the new director of

University of Texas at Arlington – TMAC Wins the 2020 TEEA Pollution Prevention Award

November 8, 2021

The University of Texas at Arlington’s TMAC (formerly the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center has served as

Contacts

For General Information

MEP Headquarters

mfg@nist.gov

(301) 975-5020

100 Bureau Drive, M/S 4800
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800