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 percent of the 3,800 manufacturers in Utah. The most recent Implan® study prepared by the Department of Applied Economics at Utah State University, which was based on data collected from MEP MEP Utah Utah clients by the U.S. Census Bureau, verified that in the state of Utah, the MEP Mfg. by NAICS Program provided services to 94 manufacturing companies resulting in quantifiable impact, which: • Created or retained 3,152 manufacturing jobs • Produced $165.7 million in additional employee wages • Generated $17.9 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
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • 2014 Annual Report • www.business.utah.gov
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