Everything Wisconsin Manufacturers Need To Know About WMEP Services, Events, & Programs

For Wisconsin manufacturing companies, the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) is a resource for growth and compliance. The programs, services, classes, and events offered by the WMEP all exist to bring the most innovative information and collaboration to Wisconsin manufacturers.

What is WMEP?

WMEP is a nonprofit member of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership. They provide consulting services to small and medium sized manufacturers in their service are of southern and eastern Wisconsin.

WMEP’s mission statement is to optimize stakeholder value for Wisconsin Manufacturers by expanding their capabilities to grow, be innovative, and achieve operational success.

WMEP Services

WMEP provides a wide variety of consulting services to help small and mid-sized Wisconsin manufacturers successfully grow.

Growth Services

WMEP’s array of growth services are focused on helping manufacturers grow with advanced market development, sales strategy improvement, and strategic planning. WMEP collaborates with you to develop plans that integrate with your existing operational plans.

Profitable Sustainability

Profitable sustainability is WMEP’s supply chain efficiency program that bridges the gap between sustainability and profit.

Implementation of the Profitable Sustainability program can lead to measurable ROI, and strengthened market competitiveness with increased profits. This program addresses operational processes, energy use, supply chain logistics, packaging and more. Based on nearly 150 projects, the average company sees a 300% ROI after 5 years of implementing the Profitable Sustainability program.

WMEP Certifications

In many industries, suppliers are required to have certifications. They also help with the regulatory responsibility placed on manufacturers.

WMEP’s certification services include quality certifications, lean six sigma yellow, green, and black belt certification, food safety, medical, automotive, aerospace, energy, social accountability, and environmental certifications.

Operational Improvement

Continuous improvement is at the core of successful growing manufacturers. WMEP offers many operational excellence and continuous improvement services including lead services and other tools and techniques for standardizing and organizing workplace operations. For a full list of operational improvement services offered by WMEP, view their service page here.

Workforce Development

WMEP’s suite of workforce/employment services address the full spectrum of workforce needs from employee recruitment to retention and talent development. Every company and market has different workforce needs. WMEP partners with manufacturers to develop a custom program based on current needs and resources.

Workforce and talent services include workforce planning roadmaps, training curriculum design, employee engagement surveys, competency models and careers paths, and executive feedback programs.

Cybersecurity

Information and operational security are always being targeted with cyber threats. WMEP’s cybersecurity program helps manufacturers minimize the risk of security breaches and get in compliance with regulatory standards.

The process begins with WMEP assessing your company’s operational practices as they relate to security standards. Issues are then addressed by implementing any needed software or network fixes, firewalls, development of policies and training of employees.

Tech Scouting

Technology scouting is a component of technology management where new business technologies are identified, tech information is gathered, and acquired if deemed to be a valuable asset to operational improvement.

Utilizing technology scouting can help manufacturers expand product development and market development by utilizing new technologies.

WMEP Events

Events hosted by WMEP are designed to bring the most innovative information and networking opportunities to Wisconsin manufacturers.

Manufacturing Matters

The Manufacturing Matters conference is hosted by WMEP and is an event for Wisconsin Manufacturers to come together for networking and sharing of the latest innovative trends and practices in the manufacturing industry.

The 2020 Manufacturing Matters event will be February 26th and 27th at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, WI. This year’s theme is ‘Focus & Go’ and the keynote speaker will be Steve Brown who will discuss how focusing can help attendees apply this year’s theme to the manufacturing industry.

For registration and sponsorship visit the Manufacturing Matters web page.

ExporTech

ExporTech is a regular program of WMEP that helps Wisconsin manufacturers grow by exporting products. The program helps small and midsized manufacturers export more products, improve strategic efficiencies, and access new international markets.

Up to 8 non-competing companies attend three 1-day sessions with workshops and seminars to address barriers, develop customized plans, and find opportunities to increase export sales.

Companies learn strategies, develop a plan, and get professional coaching in topics around finance, marketing, distribution, sales, logistics, regulations, risks, trade agreements and pricing.

For more information about ExporTech, visit WMEP’s page here.

WMEP As a Resource for Wisconsin Manufacturers

The key to growth and success for manufacturers is access to innovation and partnerships that improve operational efficiency and expand product sales.

For Wisconsin manufacturers, WMEP is a resource for strategic growth. They offer customized programs and services to fit each manufacturer based on their individual needs and available resources.