Manufacturing Extension Partnership

OVERVIEW

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Utah (MEP) provides companies with services and access to public and private resources that enhance profitability and growth, improve productivity and develop companies into sustainable enterprises. The MEP focuses on five critical areas: • Continuous Improvement • Sustainability (green) • Technology Acceleration • Workforce Development • Supplier Development

MEP’s mission is to provide small and mid-sized manufacturers with access to a wealth of tools, techniques and other resources boosting their skills to create more profit within their businesses. MEP defines this as developing and increasing a businesses’ “profit-ability. ”

Using a focused 5-P Strategy, MEP targets key areas; People, Product, Process, Planet, and Profit; to apply resources, assets and training that empower manufacturers to “Get to the Next Level.”

MEP centers are located throughout the U.S. and are affiliates of the National Institute of Standards, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Chartered to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers (those employing less than 500 workers), the MEP potential service base includes 99% of the 3,800 manufacturers in Utah.

The most recent Implan® study prepared by the Department of Applied EcoMEP Utah nomics at Utah State University, which was based on data collected from MEP Mfg. by NAICS Utah clients by the U.S. Census Bureau, verified that in the state of Utah, the MEP Program provided services to 94 manufacturing companies resulting in quantifiable impact, which: • Created or retained 4,330 manufacturing jobs • Produced $195 million in additional employee wages • Generated $25.5 million in additional state tax revenue

The nature of manufacturing in Utah is diverse, entrepreneurial, and most companies fall under the classification of “small business”—employing less than 500 employees. Yet these small companies have a large impact on the state’s economy. Manufacturing provides significant employment with an industry payroll

of over $56 billion—the largest industry payroll in the state—and is one of only three industry sectors that employ more than 100,000 Utahns. MEP’s greatest impact is at the enterprise level, where it can work with company owners, managers and workers to assess needs and prepare a plan to meet companyspecific issues. From the front office to the shipping dock, MEP centers across the country are helping U.S. manufacturers grow and compete globally by applying proven principles to both the bottom line as well as the top line. This makes MEP in Utah more relevant than ever, as Utah manufacturers need to not only cut costs and improve performance, but to define their markets — including new export markets — and produce products that differentiate them to their consumers MEP is strategically positioned to work with GOED in the state’s economic development initiatives, with emphasis on technology and innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement. GOED and MEP as partners have not lost sight of the overall importance of manufacturing to the state: its largest employee base, livable wages, tax contributions, creation of secondary jobs and a major role in producing most Utah’s exported goods. MEP will continue to be a resource to small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout the state and help the entrepreneurial spirit of Utah companies succeed in an ever changing economy. Whether in market upturns or downturns, manufacturers face the challenge of differentiating themselves and determining how to bring what is different to the market in a more efficient, cost-effective way.

Futura Industries, Clearfield Futura employees preparing a load of finished aluminum extrusions for shipment to customers. Futura Industries has manufactured custom aluminum extrusions since 1946. Their products are sent from their manufacturing site at the Freeport Center to customer locations throughout the world. Seeking out the best from workplace teams and individuals, and rewarding those efforts have made Futura an industry leader winning multiple safety, environment and manufacturing awards, including “Manufacturer of the Year” from MEP.

For additional information about the Manufacturing Extension Partnership visit business.utah.gov or contact Chad Parker, Executive Director-MEP Utah, at cparker@mep.org or 801-863-8637