A Non-technical 5-Step Plan To Check Your Company’s IT Health
A mid-sized packaging manufacturer called me in once for a consult. The COO told me, “We think our IT company is doing a great job, but we’ve been with them for 10 years and we want you to just double check everything for us.” Easy-peasy! I started where I always…
Oregon Business Best Manufacturers to work for in Oregon
Attention Oregon Manufacturers: Don’t forget to register for the Best Manufacturers to Work For in Oregon survey! The project builds on the success of our 100 Best Companies, Nonprofits and Green Workplaces surveys. This project is specifically aimed at manufacturers seeking to measure employee…
Transportation Challenges For Manufacturers in Urban, Rural and Tribal Areas: Give Us Your Feedback
The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) and Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) at Montana State University are interested in learning more about transportation challenges faced by manufacturers in small urban, rural and tribal areas/communities. The following survey, which should take only five to seven minutes to complete, will help WTI and…
Get Your Products to New Markets: Free Webinars
Is the world passing you by as competitors expand abroad? Convinced foreign buyers would love your product – if only they knew? Concerned about cost, complexity or risk? During World Trade Month (May), federal agencies bring you this FREE four-part webinar series to help you go global. Download the …
Unleashing American Innovation Initiative – Request for Information and Forum Announced
The objective of this initiative is to increase the return on investment (ROI) from the roughly $150 billion annual investment in research and development (R&D). To produce economic gain and maintain a strong national security innovation base, results must be transferred to private companies to create new products and services.
Ensuring a Smooth Business Transition Through Succession Planning
Slightly more than half of family-owned firms intend to keep the business in the family, finds a survey by PwC. But succession planning is critical for the smooth transition of a family-owned firm from one or more family members to the next generation. Although you may have identified the…
Opportunity to share your workforce needs with state workforce planners
In partnership with the Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board, Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is conducting a Talent Assessment to gather industry input on workforce issues. As an Oregon manufacturer, you can provide critical perspectives on the workforce landscape and opportunities for improvement within your industry. The survey…
Meet the Champion: Dan Wahlstrom, Lean Manufacturing Engineer, Simonds International
As the oldest cutting tool manufacturer in North America, Simonds International has learned to maximize the value of the industry’s latest technologies. That penchant for innovation is one reason Simonds’ Portland plant adopted lean manufacturing and Energy Trust’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering at the same time. The goals of both…
2018 Oregon Manufacturers’ Summit Recap
The 2018 Oregon manufacturers’ Summit has officially wrapped, and our 5th year was a great success. Below is a summary of key points. If you want more, and to see slides from all the breakout sessions, visit summit.omep.org. Embrace Technology Strategically “If you can maximize everything, so can your…
Connect 2 Careers Launched!
After more than two-years of work and partnership on the part of Manufacturing 21 with Worksystems. Inc., the Connect2Careers system has been launched. Its purpose is to transform the way our region prepares young adults for careers in our key industries – including manufacturing. The initial focus…