The Value Stream

Article Overview The RAPID Manufacturing Institute is leading a national effort to address scientific knowledge and technology gaps in process intensification and modular manufacturing. On January 31, 2019, the RAPID Manufacturing Institute released a call for Education and Workforce Development (EWD) project proposals which develop a 2-5 day face-to-face course that…

This article was originally published on the Manufacturing Innovation Blog  by NIST MEP. Below is a partial article. Read the full article here. Steady industry growth was a trend for manufacturers in 2018. According to a recent Forbes report, U.S. manufacturing has rebounded since the Great Recession, with a gain of…

Are you an innovator with an idea to disrupt the built environment value chain? The InNOVAte 2019 Challenge Needs You! Yes, you. CertainTeed, Saint-Gobain NOVA and Greentown Labs are actively seeking applicants for InNOVAte 2019, a six-month accelerator program looking for entrepreneurs with an eye to…

Nearly fifty years ago, Shigeo Shingo (Toyota Motor Works Engineer) identified what he called the ‘primary forms of waste’. These forms of waste are nearly universally discoverable in every manufacturing environment. The best definition of lean might be: “A systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste…” Simply identifying waste does…

This article originally appeared on Industry Week. Guest blog post by Linda Wechsler, senior consultant at OMEP. Paola Castaldo, managing consultant, and Russ Gaylor, manufacturing consultant, also contributed to this article. How an Oregon components maker closed the gaps in its training and development program A.R.E.

Launch a new diversity and equity program at your small business with help from Prosper Portland! The Inspiring Diversity Grant is a new pilot program for small, traded-sector employers located in the City of Portland. We are offering grant funding of up to $10,000 per company to inspire creative equity-related…

The US Government spends over $100 billion annually on R&D and has significant IP assets.  The white house requested an audit of how these assets are being shared with industry and what barriers could be removed.  If you are unfamiliar with tapping into this resource, drop me a line.  The…

Potential exposure for a violation of Oregon’s Equal Pay Act is considerable Employees alleging unpaid wages or pay equity discrimination may be awarded two years of back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees. Unlawful practices under the law include: Discriminating between employees on the basis of an employee’s…

Over the last few months, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program has been commemorating our 30th anniversary. The Program has enjoyed taking a step back to look at our beginnings, the reasons the Program came to be, and how we can continue to deliver on our mission to strengthen and empower…

The weather is getting colder, the mountains are blanketed in snow and the season for gift giving is once again here! OMEP works with some amazing Oregon Companies that are sure to bring a holiday smile to the faces of your closest family and friends. OROX Leather Rich with…