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The Heroes of American Manufacturing video series attempts to capture the hearts and minds of the public and celebrate the small and medium sized manufacturers succeeding in the US with the help of their local MEP Centers. We want to shine a spotlight on what's happening in plants across the country, the leaders and workers who are making things that improve our daily life, the jobs and contributions these manufacturers provide their communities and the nation's economy, and the relationship between center and client—helping to tell the story of what makes the MEP Program unique as a private-public partnership. Below you will also find videos about the importance and impacts manufacturing has on the United States.
In today’s manufacturing world, women play a much larger role than they have in the past. Whether you are creative, analytical or process-oriented, there is a place in manufacturing for you. From leadership in the front office to machine operators on the shop floor, women of all ages are changing the stereotypes and face of manufacturing. Manufacturers need diversity among their workforce as they develop future technologies and women are a force to be reckoned with, offering some of the most brilliant minds in manufacturing today. Manufacturing is a safe, clean, high tech environment with opportunities for everybody. It’s an exciting time to be a woman in manufacturing.
The Renewal Workshop, a client of OMEP (the MEP Center in Oregon and part of the MEP National Network), is the leading provider of circular solutions for apparel and textile brands. They are organized around the idea that businesses have multiple responsibilities for generating positive, lasting value. The Renewal Workshop was started to solve hard problems and to create new systems that do what is good and right for people and for the planet. At its heart, it is a collaborative process that relies on progressive brand partners committed to sustainability.
Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. (AMI), a client of the Maine MEP (the MEP Center in Maine and part of the MEP National Network), is the industry’s leading expert in the manufacture of high performance textiles for extreme temperature protection. For decades, AMI textile solutions have been applied around the world in the manufacture of metals, petroleum, chemicals, glass, paper and wherever flames and extreme heat can be a danger. Although they are a small U.S. manufacturer, they sell their products to over 30 countries worldwide.
Cincinnati Crane & Hoist, a client of TechSolve, Inc. (part of the Ohio MEP and the MEP National Network) is the premier crane builder in the Midwest. A Veteran Owned Small Business, Cincinnati Crane &Hoist is committed to producing and distributing the finest American made cranes the market has to offer. In 2017, the company suffered a cyber attack through a spearfishing campaign. While it had significant impacts on the company, they worked with TechSolve to find solutions and get back to business.
In today’s manufacturing world, women play a much larger role than they have in the past. Whether you are creative, analytical or process-oriented, there is a place in manufacturing for you. From leadership in the front office to machine operators on the shop floor, women of all ages are changing the stereotypes and face of manufacturing. Manufacturers need diversity among their workforce as they develop future technologies and women are a force to be reckoned with, offering some of the most brilliant minds in manufacturing today. Manufacturing is a safe, clean, high tech environment with opportunities for everybody. It’s an exciting time to be a woman in manufacturing.
Silverside Detectors, a client of MassMEP (the MEP Center in Massachusetts and part of the MEP National Network), are a team of physicists, engineers, and entrepreneurs committed to reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. They develop nuclear radiation detection technology to protect cities and citizens from nuclear terrorism.
ACR Electronics, a client of FloridaMakes (the MEP Center in Florida and part of the MEP National Network), is the leading development center for emergency beacons that are designed with one purpose: to save lives. Through their combined technology expertise in the marine, aviation, outdoor and military markets, they design and manufacture cutting edge rescue beacons and survival gear for boaters, pilots, hunters, hikers, climbers, cyclists, and combat troops, not to mention many of the leading boat builders and aircraft manufacturers in the industry.
Ace Metal Crafts Company, a client of IMEC (the MEP Center in Illinois and part of the MEP National Network) was launched in 1960 by 16 sheet metal workers who invented techniques that are now standards in sanitary stainless steel fabrication. Today, their in-depth fabrication knowledge resides in their processes and people, many with 30+ years of experience, working alongside the next generation of engineers, welders, finishers/polishers and fabricators to make Ace one of the best fabricators of stainless steel components. IMEC was first contacted by Ace Metal Crafts Company to assist with their employee training program. This valuable relationship has grown to include work with safety training, manuals, policies, a sustainability program and the selection of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Faustson Tool, a client of Manufacturer’s Edge (the MEP Center in Colorado and part of the MEP National Network), operates a 16,000-square-foot facility with more than 20 highly skilled employees and is owned and operated by Alicia Svaldi. Faustson Tool remains in the forefront of the manufacturing industry, continuing a tradition of pioneering the newest technology and pushing its limits. Faustson Tool takes on the most challenging applications only a few U.S. companies can handle, using state-of-the-art precision machining to do things no one else in the industry thinks can be done. Faustson’s reputation for innovation and excellence has earned the company prestigious clientele: Faustson Tool manufactured a key component in NASA’s Kepler space telescope, and has worked with Ball Aerospace to produce parts for the U.S. F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet. Manufacturer’s Edge has helped Faustson Tool improve product flow and production, be innovative and stay competitive in today’s manufacturing world. One of the most impressive results of this collaboration has been the development of the ADAPT Advanced Characterization Center, a 3D metal printing research facility.
This is the story of how an idea turned into a product that changed the motorcycle industry, launched a company in Idaho, and positioned a mechanical engineer intern to become the President and CEO. With the assistance of TechHelp, the MEP Center in Idaho, Rekluse founder Al Youngwerth was able to turn an idea into a prototype and then take it to production. This partnership developed a next generation manufacturer that brings good jobs and makes an impact.
Meramec Instrument Transformer Co. needed to diversify and develop more products to sell with a goal of becoming the leader in the industry. With the help of their local economic development director, they were connected with Missouri Enterprise, the Missouri MEP Center. One project led to the complete transformation of the company with sales growth of 300% and a workforce that doubled in size. With manufacturing as the heart of a lot of small towns, NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) works with U.S. manufacturers to develop new products, identify new customers and reduce costs.
MEP Center clients discuss the positive impacts of working with their local MEP Center, such as CMTC, MANTEC, and Impact Washington — from growing their revenue and finding new markets to making their company more competitive and innovative. These relationships are not only good for the manufacturer, but for their community as well. Learn more about the MEP NationalNetwork.
This is the inspiring story of a small electronics manufacturer making it in America. Based near Los Angeles, Louroe Electronics celebrates a diverse workforce, a commitment to quality, and major growth opportunities by exporting its products overseas. Through its close work and partnership with CMTC (the Southern California-based MEP Center) and participation in the Department of Commerce’s export assistance program, ExporTech, Louroe saw a 1200% increase in sales to Mexico and was awarded the Export Achievement Award by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) program works with U.S. manufacturers to develop new products, identify new customers and markets and reduce costs. Visit www.nist.gov/mep for more information and to contact your local center.
The impact of manufacturing on America can be seen in the good jobs it provides, the strength of the economy, and the products built in communities around the nation that enable and enrich our everyday lives. We celebrate manufacturing's impact and the MEP Centers across the country working alongside small and medium-sized manufacturers to make an impact on their people and operations. Visit www.nist.gov/mep to learn more and to contact your local MEP Center.
This family-owned, tooling and injection molding manufacturer in Macomb County Michigan is the latest manufacturer featured in the Heroes of American Manufacturing video series. What started as one toolmaker in his garage, has grown into a 45 person company with a 70,000 square foot facility making prototype and low-volume production products for clients in medical, consumer packaging, automotive, and safety markets throughout the world. Learn more about how they successfully handled the recession and innovated into new markets with the help of their local MEP—the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) works with U.S. manufacturers to develop new products, identify new customers and reduce costs. Visit www.nist.gov/mep for more information and to contact your local center
"If you think it's the old Ford assembly line, you haven't been staying in touch with manufacturing. Manufacturing has a home for almost everyone..." Listen to the case that this manufacturing leader makes for innovation and manufacturing careers. Based on the Heroes of American Manufacturing video featuring Omega Plastics — a family-owned, tooling and injection molding manufacturer in Michigan and how they successfully handled the recession and innovated into new markets with the help of their local MEP. Visit www.nist.gov/mep for more information about NIST MEP and www.mfgday.com to learn how to participate in Manufacturing Day and about careers in manufacturing.
GPS Source helped bring some manufacturing back to the U.S. This short video clip highlights the work of the veteran owned small business located in West Pueblo, CO and the project that was part of the NIST MEP and VA's partnership to address critical supply needs of the Naval Air Systems Command. For more information about the Make it in America campaign visit the site or call 1-800-MEP-4MFG.
Meet the next "Hero of American Manufacturing": PFM Manufacturing. This small, Montana company is the latest manufacturer featured in the Heroes of American Manufacturing video series. Check out their story and how they launched a revolutionary new product - the Land Tamer an amphibious remote access vehicle which is now sold all over the world. NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) works with U.S. manufacturers to develop new products, identify new customers and reduce costs. Visit www.nist.gov/mep for more information and to contact your local center.
Meet the next "Hero of American Manufacturing": Lee Spring. This Brooklyn, New York-based company is the latest manufacturer featured in the Heroes of American Manufacturing video series. Check out their story and how they've been able to keep manufacturing "alive and well in Brooklyn" since 1918, while expanding their product line to more than 21,000 offerings. NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) works with U.S. manufacturers to develop new products, identify new customers and reduce costs. Visit www.nist.gov/mep for more information and to contact your local center.
NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program works with U.S. manufacturers on developing new products, identifying new customers and reducing costs. Two of these clients share theirs stories in this video. The first, PFM Manufacturing, a small company in Townsend, Montana, manufactures the Land Tamer. The organization was coached by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center to turn several innovations into new business and increased profits. The other is Lee Spring a mid-sized manufacturer of springs and metal parts headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Lee Spring has worked with ITAC the MEP center in New York City to expand into new business areas.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership's (MEP) first in the "Heroes of American Manufacturing" video series - The Bogert Group. Located in Pasco, Washington, The Bogert Group started out as a 2-person company located in the family garage making aviation parts. Now the 28-employee strong company designs, manufacturers and markets products to a variety of customers' worldwide thanks to guidance from the Washington MEP affiliate, Impact Washington.
Major events of the last two decades have significantly influenced manufacturing and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program headquartered at NIST. The video outlines MEPs response to new opportunities and challenges and demonstrates the programs values and effectiveness in serving U.S. manufacturers.
Find out how three U.S. manufacturers achieved growth through innovation and new product development by working with their local NIST MEP affiliates. ATAS International, Allentown, PA, wondered if it was possible to find a second use for one of its products. They partnered with the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) to explore the possibility.; STI-CO Industries, Inc., Orchard Park, New York, was eyeing potential sales growth from new applications and new markets but needed to improve their product development process. The firm reached out to Insyte Consulting for assistance.; Amphenol Fiber Systems International, Allen, Texas, ran into unique production requirements for a connector they were adding to their product portfolio. The company turned to the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) to find the right solution.
