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Posts Categorized: News Releases
MassMEP Presents Manufacturing Leadership Award to North Easton Machine Company
MassMEP Presents Manufacturing Leadership Award to North Easton Machine Company
Worcester, MA – MassMEP, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, is pleased to present the 2nd annual Jack Healy Manufacturing Leadership Award to North Easton Machine Company, Inc. North Easton is being recognized for their dedication to training and for building a skilled workforce.
“MassMEP is honored to recognize North Easton Machine for their dedication to advancing manufacturing in Massachusetts and for their workforce,” stated John Killam, President, MassMEP. “Their consistent emphasis on training programs for their employees has led them to a leadership position in Massachusetts for on-site workforce development. As a result, the quality of their product is world-class.”
The Manufacturing Leadership Award is in honor of MassMEP’s founding president, Jack Healy. Jack embodied the essence of manufacturing and best practices. His long career in manufacturing oversaw the expansion of several manufacturing companies and he was instrumental in promoting the importance of manufacturing to the Massachusetts economy.
“We are thrilled to receive the Jack Healy Manufacturing Leadership Award,” said Paula Martel, HR Manager, North Easton Machine Company. “We believe that to achieve workforce growth, we must employ a multi-pronged approach. We must find qualified trainees, upskill entry level staff, and grow our leaders. MassMEP is a vital partner providing programs that aid our employees in maximizing their individual potential and enhancing the overall success of our team.”
North Easton Machine Company was founded in 1964 by Donald Holbrook. Holbrook purchased his first Brown & Sharpe cam screw machines from his former employer, Easton Machine Products, when the two partners split and auctioned off the assets of the business. He set up shop in one bay of his two car garage at his home in North Easton, Massachusetts, and North Easton Machine Company was born. Working full time for Machine Craft in Whitman, Massachusetts, he ran his own machines after work until midnight most nights. His wife Marie would order material, tools, and accept deliveries during the day to support his nightly production. Donald eventually left his job and dedicated himself to the business full-time. The business expanded several times over the years to its current 15,000 square foot facility. Over the last 54 years North Easton Machine has evolved into a state of the art CNC turning and milling company. Currently run by Donald’s son, Jon Holbrook, the business has been supported by family members spanning four generations.
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 www.massmep.org.
MassMEP Diversifies Accelerated CNC Training Program, Partners with Seven Hills Foundation
For more information please contact:
Kathie Mahoney, kathiem@massmep.org
Worcester, MA – This February, nine participants in the MassMEP Accelerated CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Skills Training Program completed their training and received advanced MACWIC certification. The graduates spent seven weeks participating in an intensive experience that incorporates both classroom and hands-on curriculum to prepare them for jobs as CNC machine operators. This class was the first in which MassMEP partnered with Seven Hills Foundation in Worcester to train one of their supported individuals.
MassMEP’s training model combines classroom instruction, virtual simulation, and hands-on training to build job-ready skills. Additionally, students are provided work readiness skills that are critical in order to secure employment in today’s manufacturing industry. The training program was funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program.
Congratulations to MassMEP’s Accelerated CNC Skills Training Program
graduation class, February 2018.
What began as an idea to train people with autism for careers in manufacturing morphed into a pilot project broadened to include people with various disabilities. One highly motivated individual, who happened to be in a wheelchair, was selected for this initial pilot. With support services from Seven Hills and a willingness from all training partners to see what was possible, Kelly O’Brien graduated as a certified CNC machine operator with the rest of her class.
Kelly O’Brien is the first Seven Hills Foundation client to graduate from
MassMEP’s Accelerated CNC Skills Training Program, February 2018.
“Kelly has worked hard and shown the drive and determination to take advantage of this opportunity and build a career path in a sector that is highly sought and needed here in Massachusetts,” said Trudy Dould, Clinician at Seven Hills Foundation. “Throughout this training, she showcased her abilities and did not let her disability present an obstacle in her goal of obtaining this certificate.” Seven Hills, along with other partners, is in the process of obtaining a special, motorized wheelchair that will allow Kelly to achieve a vertical, standing position to assist her at work.
“Seven Hills is committed to partner with MassMEP to provide manufacturing training to some of our supported individuals,” said Dr. David Jordan, President of Seven Hills Foundation. “This is a wonderful opportunity to educate and empower people to live the valued and meaningful life they choose…and provide Massachusetts manufacturers with great employees.”
Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification
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, and achievement.
About MACWIC
The purpose of the Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovative Collaborative is to preserve manufacturing tribal knowledge and to execute the transfer of knowledge and critical skills to the current and future workforce. For more information, visit http://www.macwic.org
MassMEP Launches New Mechanical Skill Training Program
For More Information Contact:
– Kathie Mahoney, kathiem@massmep.org
MassMEP Launches New Mechanical Skill Training Program
Worcester, MA – MassMEP, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, recently celebrated the graduation of the first class of students to complete Mechanical Systems Skills Training, a comprehensive new training program in mechanical power transmission for the shop floor. Participants learn skills in machine shafts & keys, bearings, belt drives, chain drives, machine shaft couplings, gear drives, machine speed reduces, electric brakes, and mechanical components. The next class starts March 5, 2018.
“The new training is designed to address the lack of mechanical skills in manufacturing,” stated John Killam, President MassMEP. “This type of introduction to the operating principles of power transmission in the most effective way, with skills-based training using the same industrial-strength components used in factory environments. We are thankful to the funding from the Baker-Polito Administration, through a Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant, to purchase the equipment.”
Mechanical Systems Skills Training features hands-on work with robust, stand-alone, mobile training stations. Rugged components are housed in a heavy-duty mobile framework with a customized modular drawer storage system. Classroom learning and the bench work hand-in-hand.
Eight people participated in the first class. Will Lyon from Epic Polymer Solutions (Northborough, MA) has a background as a motorcycle mechanic. He enjoyed being able to use brand new tools and parts. His co-worker, Michael Ducasse, shared, “Even though this course was pretty easy for us, we did find that some of the components on the work bench were not aligned properly. The fact that things were not perfect and we had to trouble shoot made it more like what you come up against on the job so we got a lot out of it!”
Rick Gemme, Manufacturing Operations Supervisor from Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA), stated that in the past they would send one person to a class like this and then that person would come back and share knowledge with the group. His company runs three shifts. Sending each person to the class helps them standardize procedures and ensure the same focus.
For more details, see the Mechanical System Skills Training brochure: http://massmac.org/newsline/1801/MSST_brochure.pdf
The next class starts March 5, 2018 and will be offered two days a week, three hours per day for four weeks. For more information, please contact Leslie Parady at lesliep@massmep.org or 508-831-7020 ext. 21.
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.
MassMEP Graduates Manufacturing-Trained Workers in the More Skilled Workers Program
Worcester, MA – MassMEP recently celebrated the graduation of students who participated in the Advanced CNC Program funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The graduation was attended by Representatives Jeffrey Roy and Daniel Donahue, Senator Michael Moore, and the graduates’ family members.
Presenting citations to manufacturing graduates of the More Skilled Workers program. Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Rep. Daniel Donahue, Senator Michael Moore.
At the ceremony, Rep. Roy, House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus Committee, recognized the hard work of the graduates and their dedication to building on their skill base in order to enter into a manufacturing career. Rep. Roy stated, “Congratulations for taking the step to be a part of the manufacturing renaissance that is going on in Massachusetts. Manufacturing is flourishing in Massachusetts.”
The Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification training program was developed by the Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovation Collaborative (MACWIC) to meet the demands of Massachusetts manufacturers. Since it’s launch, MassMEP has graduated 326 students. The placement rate upon graduation is 93%, with an average starting wage of $18.00.
The MassMEP Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification program has worked with about 175 Massachusetts companies to provide assistance in filling their skills gaps. The benefit of the program is the cost savings to employers. By virtue of the candidates receiving the MACWIC credential upon graduation, an employer knows the competencies of the candidate prior to hiring them. This can save the employer significant time and cost when on-boarding a new employee.
The Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification pyramid.
“This 7-week training program is life-changing for the participants,” stated John Killam, MassMEP President. “The training they receive provides them with the skills to earn a living wage and support their family. These are not skills they had prior to this training course, but now they will have them for the rest of their lives.”
The graduates spent seven (7) weeks participating in an intensive classroom and hands-on curriculum to prepare for jobs as CNC operators. MassMEP’s training model combines classroom, simulation, and hands-on training to build job ready skills. Additionally, students are prepared with work readiness skills that are critical in order to secure employment in today’s manufacturing. Their hard work was rewarded at graduation with the receipt of certificates in OSHA training and Principles of Lean manufacturing, as well as a certificate of completion for their full course work. Representatives Roy and Donahue and Senator Moore also presented the graduates with citations from the State House.
The advanced CNC training program covers 260 hours overall and 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, and 30 hours of career readiness. Upon graduation, the students receive a 10-hour OSHA general industry card, Massachusetts Pre-Apprentice certificate, and MACWIC certification.
The program is a three-phase training strategy to prepare and place individuals in a paid job and position them along a career pathway that would culminate in certificate/degrees as CNC machine operators. The Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and leveraged funding from MassDevelopment and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
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, and achievement.
About MACWIC
The purpose of the Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovative Collaborative is to preserve manufacturing tribal knowledge and to execute the transfer of knowledge and critical skills to the current and future workforce. For more information, visit http://www.macwic.org
MassMEP Announces New Board Chair
Worcester, MA – Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), an economic development and management consulting organization committed to assisting small and mid-size manufacturers compete and grow in the global economy, is pleased to announce the election by unanimous vote of the new chair of the board of directors, William Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan, who joined the MassMEP board of directors in June 2016, is Vice President, Performance Products, for FLEXcon, Inc., (Spencer, MA).
“Since joining the board, Bill has been instrumental in our strategic growth,” stated John Killam, President, MassMEP. “He is a creative and progressive leader. We look forward to working with him to continue the growth of MassMEP.”
William Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan oversees the Performance Products business team at FLEXcon, which is responsible for the development, marketing, and commercialization of high performance adhesives, functional coatings, film castings, and functional microstructures. He is author of national published articles focused on FLEXcon’s success in creating Sharklet™, a functional microstructure that prevents the growth of bacteria through a unique microscopic design. Mr. Sullivan’s expertise is helping companies bring their concepts and ideas to life and then commercializing them.
“I am pleased to be named director of the MassMEP board,” said Sullivan. “This organization provides critical resources that help manufacturers improve processes, learn new techniques, and increase their knowledge about the latest trends in the manufacturing industry.”
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, and achievement.
About FLEXcon
FLEXcon Company, Inc. is a global leader in coated and laminated films and adhesives used in graphics applications, manufactured goods and new products. For over 60 years, FLEXcon has provided a collaborative, consultative approach to deliver unique solutions that help customers achieve better business results. FLEXcon is a 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. For more information, visit http://www.flexcon.com/, follow FLEXcon on Twitter @FLEXcon, or call 1-508-885-8200.
More than 750 educated through training programs
Two Central Massachusetts training programs have completed educating employees at 17 different manufacturing companies, creating 40 new jobs and retaining 32 employees as a result.
The programs funded by the Workforce Training Fund Program managed by the Commonwealth Corp. offered education with the goal of updating the skills of the companies’ workforces. The trainings were coordinated by the Central MA Workforce Investment Board in partnership with the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which provided instruction. Topics ranged from basic manufacturing skills to leadership training, job safety and included more specific programs such as geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
The participating manufacturers completed a total of 96 trainings and trained 779 employees over the course of the project. According to data collected by MassMEP, there were positive results for the manufacturers.
- Increased sales: $4,574,000
- Jobs created: 403
- Jobs retained: 32
- Cost savings: $1,384,075
The companies that participated were:
- Southbridge Sheet Metal
- INCOM
- David Packard Co.
- Dexter-Russell
- G&F Industries
- United Lens
- H.T. Machine
- Magnetic Technologies
- Schott North America
- Swissturn
- T & D Specialties
- Eaton-Wrightline
- ECM Plastics/A. Schulman
- Prematech
- Kinefac
- Stellar Industries
- Primetals Technologies
Jim Laliberte from Primetals Technologies said in a statement that these trainings are important, especially as companies face replacing significant portions of their workforce in the coming years.
“A shortage of adequately skilled workers in the U.S. is a problem faced by most companies and could compromise the country’s economic competitiveness if left unaddressed,” Laliberte said in a statement.
You can read the original article on WBJournal.com.
MassMEP’s Bauer Appointed to Mass Workforce Board Association Executive Committee
Worcester, MA – At the Massachusetts Workforce Board Association Joint Summer Meeting, Ted Bauer, Director Workforce Development Strategies at MassMEP, was appointed to the Association’s Executive Committee. Secretary Ronald Walker, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, was in attendance.
Ted Bauer serves on the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board(CMWIB) and also chairs the Career Center committee. Mr. Bauer has been involved with the CMWIB for over nine years.
The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association is a business-led organization that represents the members of the 16 Massachusetts regional workforce boards, and provides leadership in developing a collective vision of the workforce development system in the Commonwealth. The Association’s members include employers, representatives of labor, higher education, business and industry. Donald Gillis serves as its Executive Director.
The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association’s mission is to provide Workforce Investment Board members and workforce partners, through their Association representatives, with an independent vehicle to:
Analyze, develop, and promote a collective vision of the workforce development system,
Take initiative in developing recommendations for the design of a user friendly, market driven workforce system,
Share ideas on innovative responses to problems in coordinating the activities of the workforce system,
Discuss and build consensus for responses to initiatives from state agencies,
Develop strategies to increase the support and participation from the business and labor communities in WIB activities,
Take formal unified action on issues of common concern, and
Support and strengthen the development of WIBs’ and their partners’ capacity in each region.
“Ted Bauer brings decades of experience representing Massachusetts’ manufacturers and will be an asset to the Association,” said Stan Usovicz, Association Chair. Added Don Gillis, “Mr. Bauer’s skills will help the Association better respond to the needs of the next generation of manufacturers. We welcome him aboard.”
“MassMEP is honored to be selected for the Massachusetts Workforce Board and to have the opportunity to provide insight to key policy decision makers on the workforce needs of the manufacturing companies in the Commonwealth.” stated John Killam, President of MassMEP.
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.
MassMEP Assists in Interscope’s Product Launch
WORCESTER, Mass, March 10, 2016 — Worcester-based Interscope, Inc. has received approval from the European Union to market its EndoRotor System, an endoscopic device that streamlines interventional gastrointestinal procedures used to manage colon and esophageal cancer. Additionally, the U.S. Patent Office has awarded Interscope five patents for its innovative medical device.
Interscope’s EndoRotor System is a single resection tool to remove mucosal lesions (i.e., polyps) and Barrett’s esophagus more effectively than existing products. According to the American Cancer Society, while a majority of mucosal disease is benign, patients with polyps and/or Barrett’s have an increased risk for cancer.
Interscope President and Co-Founder Jeffery Ryan explained, “Many young companies face business needs that are often not paired well with available resources. The partnership that MassMEP and Boston Engineering presented enabled a dream to take reality in a challenging and dynamic regulatory environment.”
The Interscope milestones are rooted in early support that it received from The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP). As part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, MassMEP provides resources to help companies succeed with invention, innovation, and commercialization that supports economic growth in the Commonwealth. Interscope required early proof-of-concept support and product development expertise to help commercialize its concept.
MassMEP provided some early stage subsidies through its Federal partner, NIST MEP, and the Research Triangle Institute to support a Technology Scouting initiative. This support helped Interscope to shape the product specification prior to launching the development effort with its resource partner Boston Engineering.
John Killam, center director of MassMEP stated, “The successful commercial launch of the EndoRotor System is a testament to the strength of collaboration between public and private resources to create an ecosystem capable of providing optimal solutions for high-value projects such as Interscope.”
Interscope used this early-stage support to advance its business, which included selecting Boston Engineering to develop the product. Boston Engineering drove the product development and design for manufacturing (DFM) process including feasibility and analysis; industrial design; rapid prototyping; and product engineering. Additionally, Boston Engineering provided regulatory submission support and collaborated with the Interscope team to develop and implement its quality management system.
“MassMEP plays an important role in Massachusetts growth by supporting the commercialization of technologies that have the potential to change the way that people work and live,” said Mark Smithers, co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) of Boston Engineering. “Interscope’s five patents to date reflect the company’s innovative approach to addressing clinical needs. We are proud to work closely with the Interscope team throughout the medical device product development and submission support process.”
Interscope was co-founded by two Massachusetts-based healthcare leaders. Company president and CEO Jeffrey Ryan Jr. previously held several senior sales and marketing positions in the medical devices industry. And for the past nine years, Interscope Chief Scientific Officer Ramon Franco, MD has been the Division Director for Laryngology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
About Interscope, Inc.
Interscope, Inc. is the developer of the EndRotor System, a patented interventional resection device to address the challenges of sessile lesions and incomplete resection. Interscope is headquartered in Worcester, Mass. and is available online http://interscopemed.com/
About The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP)
MassMEP is part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership program and a nonprofit organization that believes, given the proper support, manufacturers can challenge themselves and grow strategically, improve profitability, and create competitive advantages. MassMEP supports this belief by providing experiential learning and solution-based support services. Every engagement focuses on both the transfer of knowledge and the successful implementation of this learning for immediate impact on the company. MassMEP also serves as a valuable bridge to other organizations and programs that share a passion for developing technology and creating growth opportunities in a domestic manufacturing environment.
About Boston Engineering
Boston Engineering provides product design and engineering consulting across the entire product development process from concept through product launch. Certified for ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, our industry expertise includes consumer products, defense ; security, medical devices, robotics, and industrial & commercial products. We are also the Northeast’s largest PTC software reseller. Boston Engineering is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. with an additional office at UMass Dartmouth’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.boston-engineering.com
Speaker Robert DeLeo announces new West. Mass business networking program
BOSTON – House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, on Wednesday announced the formation of Baystate Business Link, a new business mentoring program in Western Massachusetts.
DeLeo announced the new initiative — a partnership between the House and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce — in a morning speech to the Chamber of Commerce.
“Baystate Business Link will concentrate on connecting businesses across the state, highlighting B2B (business-to-business) opportunities and encouraging mentorships,” DeLeo said, according to his prepared remarks.
A working group to advance the effort will include former Massachusetts Energy Secretary Rick Sullivan, who is now CEO of the Western Mass Economic Development Council; Scott Bailey, managing director of MassChallenge, an accelerator for start-ups; and Jack Healy from MassMEP, a group that assists Massachusetts manufacturers.
DeLeo said the group will “help weave together untapped potential in Massachusetts.”
DeLeo framed the new initiative as part of an effort by lawmakers to improve the economy outside of Greater Boston. “Let’s leverage our existing successes so that energetic entrepreneurs, promising students and small but worthy businesses outside of Boston are no longer overlooked,” DeLeo said.
Sullivan said the working group will develop a dialogue with Boston-businesses that are looking to grow. For example, businesses looking for a company to do manufacturing, run call centers, provide data functions or fill other parts of their supply chain could find businesses in Western Massachusetts to fulfill some of those roles.
“Our priority is to look to make links between the Boston business community, which is booming, and looking to make connections to western Massachusetts to be able to grow business opportunities for western Mass.,” Sullivan said. “At least give western Massachusetts a look and give us a seat at the business table to make the case as to why investment in western Mass. would be good.”
Read the full article at www.masslive.com.