Especially during these times of change, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a national program geared towards helping U.S. manufacturers across the nation.

In order to help small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, MEP is driven towards supporting these key areas:

1. Operations

They have talent and experience in lean production processes and how to identify those. They have experience in terms of quality, processes, and improving productivity. Ex. preparing for ISO certification

2. Supply Chain

They help you easily connect to both your suppliers and your customers if you want to diversify on both ends.

3. Technology Scouting

MEP can help you explore what's the next step for you. They can help you decide what's just enough for you in terms of implementing or taking the next step in your technology adoption. 

4. New Markets

It is about finding out who's out there. Whether it’s about getting yourself known or you’re thinking about export, they have resources that can help you get involved in that. They help people explore their strengths and how their products might fit in different industries or broader markets.

5. Workforce - Training Within Industry, Apprenticeships

Their Training Within Industry program teaches new employees to be successful. They also develop online work instructions that these new employees could quickly and easily access.

6. Cybersecurity - always developing

MEP is creating a path forward on cybersecurity which is always developing. And it has become certainly more important as almost everything is done online today.