Posts Categorized: News Releases

Posted By Paul Tate, March 30, 2015 at 8:24 AM, in Category: Next-Generation Leadership and the Changing Workforce

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MassDevelopment has awarded the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), a leading resource for manufacturing companies in Massachusetts, $400,000 to accelerate outreach and training programs for the defense supply chain. The funds are part of a $1,475,588 grant to MassDevelopment from the Department of Defense to undertake economic adjustment activities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassDevelopment seeks to identify gaps and resources available to the manufacturing companies in the defense industry that will be impacted by sequestration.

The MassDevelopment project, funded by the federal Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), will develop a proactive response to mitigate the potential impact of federal defense budget cuts and sequestration on an industry that has become increasingly dependent on defense contracts. The project will map a strategy to capitalize on the Commonwealth’s competitive advantage within its defense industry, conducting a comprehensive economic diversification study and developing an implementation strategy to create an economic base that becomes less dependent on defense contracting.

”MassDevelopment works with both the defense and manufacturing sectors, two critical, economically intertwined areas of the Massachusetts innovation economy,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “MassMEP plays a leadership role in strengthening manufacturers, and we look forward to working with such a fine organization on its important efforts.”

Establishing a Baseline for Defense Industry
The study will be conducted in two distinct, yet interdependent, phases. Phase I, “Setting the Stage for Action,” will address the assessment and economic diversification approach. Phase II, “Taking Action,” will address the implementation strategy and sustainability.

MassMEP will focus on:

• the potential for expanding technology transfer and identifying methods to accelerate the commercialization of defense-related products, and
• identifying the potential for new applications of defense-related products and expanding the defense industry customer base.

The challenges budget cuts present provide an opportunity to identify new economic growth sectors related to assets in the industry. MassMEP will identify potential support services, create enterprise clusters, and develop other innovative techniques to identify, recruit, and grow development of a supply chain for Massachusetts’ manufacturers.

Using the services provided in the MassDevelopment OEA grant and MassMEP’s existing resources, MassMEP will be able to assist manufacturing companies in identifying additional opportunities for growth and employee retention.

Jack Healy, President of MassMEP stated, “It is a privilege to be chosen to assist the Defense Supplier Network in our state in this endeavor. The variety and unique range of technologies provided by enterprises within this network make it imperative that we help them to competitively position their firms for a future of diminishing defense funding.”

MassMEP Elects William Sullivan, VP Performance Products at FLEXcon, to Board of Directors

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), a leading resource for manufacturing companies in Massachusetts, has announced the election of William Sullivan to its Board of Directors. Mr. Sullivan, vice president, Performance Products, FLEXcon (Spencer, MA), brings to the board his expertise and insight from a global manufacturing perspective.

“MassMEP is pleased that Mr. Sullivan has agreed to serve on our board of directors,” stated John Killam, Center Director, MassMEP.  “His management and manufacturing experience will be a tremendous asset to the Center as we continue to grow and expand.”

In his capacity as vice president of Performance Products at FLEXcon, Mr. Sullivan has overseen plant operations and now is intimately involved with the development of new products and enhancing the performance of existing products. This knowledge will be vital to MassMEP as the Center continues to develop and expand its growth and innovation program and continues to provide transformational assistance to Massachusetts manufacturers.

“MassMEP is a vital resource for manufacturers competing in a rapidly evolving advanced manufacturing environment and an ever-changing economy,” said Sullivan. “I am proud to be a part of an organization so committed to the growth of this field and to help expand its value to more manufacturers across Massachusetts.”

FLEXcon is an innovator in adhesive coating, laminating, and finishing of durable materials used in graphics applications, electronics, and new products. . Through a culture of curiosity, flexibility, and a drive for excellence, FLEXcon is the trusted partner to a wide range of companies, from printers and fabricators to engineers and designers developing products for existing and emerging markets. Headquartered in Spencer, Mass., the company has operations throughout North America and Europe with distribution worldwide.

On Friday, MassMEP graduated a new class in Advanced CNC Skills, part of the Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification. The graduation was the eighth area training funded by the Massachusetts More Skilled Workers Program. Eleven graduates spent eight weeks in an intensive curriculum of classroom and hands-on work to prepare for jobs as CNC (computer numerical control) operators. Representative John Fernandes presented each graduate with a citation from the Commonwealth recognizing the importance of the course and their dedication to improving their skills. Advanced CNC Skills training, designed by MassMEP to meet the demands of Massachusetts manufacturers, has graduated over 675 students since the program began. The total job placement rate is 90% with an average starting wage of $17.11 per hour.

Figure 1. Certificates handed out to Advanced CNC Skills graduates by Rep. John Fernandes; Torbjorn Bergstrom, Operations Manger, Haas Manufacturing Labs, WPI; and Matt Healy, MassMEP Instructor.

“MassMEP’s training model combines classroom, simulation, and hands-on training to build job ready skills,” said Ted Bauer, MassMEP’s Workforce Strategies Director. “Additionally, students are provided work readiness skills that are critical to securing employment in today’s manufacturing environment.”

The Advanced CNC Skills course is a 280 hour program. That includes 80 hours of foundational manufacturing skills, 100 hours of advanced CNC skills training at WPI, 40 hours of MasterCAM, 10 hours of OSHA training, 30 hours of career readiness, and 20 hours of Math Bootcamp. Upon graduation, the students receive a 10-hour OSHA general industry card, Massachusetts Pre-Apprentice certificate, Florida Institute of Technology Lean certificate, and WPI CNC Certificate of Completion. This prepares them to sit for the MACWIC Level 3 Certificate test.

Figure 2. MACWIC Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification

Advanced CNC Skills course graduates travel over an hour to attend this comprehensive training that starts as early as 6am. In addition to the technical training, the students are evaluated on their work readiness; showing up for classes every day is a key component of the course work evaluation.

“We created this training based on the demand we heard from employers,” stated Bauer. “The program is rigorous and expectations of the participants mirror those of an employer. This way MassMEP supplies manufacturing companies with work-ready employees.”

Job Fair

Part of the training program includes a job fair the week prior to graduation. Each employer meets with the job candidates for about 10 minutes, to determine if they would like to pursue a more in-depth interview. This month’s job fair included 22 companies from across Massachusetts, including 9 that had participated in the past.

The Massachusetts More Skilled Workers Program is a training strategy to prepare and place individuals in a paid job and position them along a career pathway that can culminate in certificate/degrees as Technicians and/or Engineers. The program is funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

About Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), part of the national NIST MEP system, is a leading resource for manufacturers.  Committed to success in manufacturing, MassMEP transforms companies through solutions focused on innovative growth, operational excellence, and workforce development.  The organization cultivates a sustainable community built on supportive relationships, idea sharing, achievement, and next generation manufacturing.  For more information, visit www.massmep.org.

MassMEP and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce released the results of a year-long study of the manufacturing in the North Central region, the North Central Massachusetts Collaborative Manufacturing Communities Growth Initiative. The study was funded by a grant from the USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grants program and conducted by RTI and interviewed 50 companies from the region from a total of 492.

The objective of the study was to provide, in one resource, a characterization of the manufacturing industry in the area. As well as identify barriers to growth and relevant market opportunities for future growth. Twenty-five percent of the region’s manufacturing companies participated in the survey.

A pathway for future growth was presented to the attendees that clearly outlining objectives and recommendations for manufacturing growth.

The key findings of the survey:

• Manufacturers identified lack of skilled workforce, regulatory constraints, and lack of access to opportunities as the main barriers to growth.
• The outlook for manufacturing is bright, due to increasing costs in China and low energy costs in the U.S. – there is now a net gain in jobs.
• Strong growth opportunities exist in certain markets (e.g. medical device, tooling, aerospace, smart packaging)
• Advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing, digital design, and advanced materials are opportunities but also threats if SMEs fail to adopt them.

“This federally funded study identifies opportunities to capitalize on the enormous manufacturing capabilities of the North Central region,” said U.S. Representative Jim McGovern. “I am confident that this collaborative effort, coupled with the support of local, state, and federal, agencies will generate significant economic growth in the region.”

Local Representation

At the conclusion of the presentation, representatives from several local manufacturers offered some of the challenges they face today’s business climate.

Fitchburg’s Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. Inc. and Gardner’s Data Guide Cable stated health-care costs is the greatest challenge.

“We spend more money on health insurance that for the materials we use building our products,” said Steven Rocheleau, the company’s president.

Data Guide Cable’s President Donald Irving told the audience that when he gave his annual state of the company address to his employees, he told them that if they could provide their own health insurance, he would buy each employee a three-bedroom house in Gardner, saying that would be less expensive for the company.

“It’s a huge expense that’s crushing us,” said Irving.

Fitchburg’s Steel-Fab Inc., President Mark Freeman briefly explained how regulations are restricting his ability to provide employment here.

Freeman said his company is currently having a project built in Arizona that represents 13 years of man hours in labor because wide-load regulations wouldn’t allow the item to be transported from here to there.

Irving also said the state’s inventory tax is “hurting us.”

He said that he may have $2-3 million in inventory in the building and he still has to pay a tax on it, “even if we’re losing money.”

“For those of us to who make things, it’s a huge concern,” said Irving, who also said the recently passed change in employee sick time regulations are another looming crisis.

Pete Angelini, representing Aaron Industries, a custom plastics manufacturer, said high energy costs were his company’s greatest challenge.

“Energy has become extremely burdensome,” said Angelini.

For a copy of the complete survey, visit the MassMEP web site.
About MassMEP

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), part of the national NIST MEP system, is a leading resource for manufacturers. Committed to success in manufacturing, MassMEP transforms companies through solutions focused on innovative growth, operational excellence, and workforce development. The organization cultivates a sustainable community built on supportive relationships, idea sharing, achievement, and next generation manufacturing. For more information, visit https://www.massmep.org