To highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation’s economy and draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill jobs available in manufacturing fields, a group of public and private organizations announced today the launch of Manufacturing Day for Oct. 5, 2012.

Manufacturing Day is sponsored by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Wisconsin MEP (WMEP) and Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC). MEP is part of DOC’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The sponsors invite additional associations and organizations supporting the manufacturing industry to join Manufacturing Day. Through open houses, public tours, career workshops and other events held at participating facilities on Oct. 5, the sponsors hope to introduce as many people as possible to the important role played by manufacturing both in local communities and for the nation. The grassroots events will also introduce manufacturers to business improvement resources and services delivered through the MEP’s network of more than 400 affiliated centers across the country.

             IMEC’s team had award winners in 3 out of 10 categories while competing against 60 other centers for recognition.  The Manufacturing Innovations Awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make significant impacts on U.S. manufacturing. The MEP Conference is a gathering of representatives from all of the MEP Centers in the nationwide network to collaborate and continue building a strong U.S. manufacturing sector.

The battle among states for corporate investment is getting considerable attention today among state and local officials, business groups and in the media. Despite the pitfalls in trying to lure companies across borders with tax incentives or cash, as long as high-wage jobs are in play, there will always be competition, even between friendly neighbors. There is, however, another, more important, side to the story.

A highly effective national program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), is a network of nonprofit organizations in every state whose sole focus is to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Here in the Midwest, experts in our respective MEP centers work with one another to boost manufacturing productivity and efficiency. For example, we’ll help a steel producer shorten the time it takes to change from one production line to another, increasing responsiveness to their customer. Our specialists are strategically located and they have real manufacturing experience.

MEP generates $32 in benefits for every $1 invested

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program generated $32 in new sales growth for companies that received assistance, for every $1 invested in the program by the federal government, according to a survey of companies that utilized MEP services. In 2009, manufacturing companies that hired MEP specialists created or retained 72,000 jobs, increased or retained $8.4-billion in sales, leveraged $1.9 billion in new private-sector investment and generated cost savings of $1.3 billion.

Two out of every three MEP clients reported that they are very likely to recommend MEP to others,” says the survey conducted by market research firm Turner Marketing Inc.