WBJ Manufacturing Summit & Excellence Award
Please join us for this virtual forum and celebration!
Help us recognize the achievements of WBJ’s 2020 Manufacturing Excellence honorees, and join us for a special webcast discussion about the key issues affecting manufacturers in our region.
The virtual event is free, however, pre-registration is required to receive a link to the event.

Please stay tuned for further programming and speaker updates.
ISO Internal Auditor 9001:2015 – Small Business Direct Access (SBDAP)
MassMEP 27A Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA, United StatesThis is a 4-day training see recurring event
Who Should Attend: This course is recommended for anyone involved in designing, implementing, maintaining and improving a quality management system and/or performing internal audits of a quality management system, such as quality officers, managers and auditors. No prior knowledge of auditing, quality management systems or ISO 9001:2008 is required prior to attending this course.
Course Highlights / Topics Covered:
- The process approach, performance indicators and risk
- The "Plan-Do-Check-Act” principle
- The key elements of a quality management system, management of documents/records, deviations, corrective and preventive actions
- Management responsibility, management representative and management review
- Measurement, analysis and continuous improvement on customer satisfaction, quality management effectiveness through internal audits, process performance and conformity to product requirements
- What are internal audits
- Why are internal audits conducted
- What preparatory work should be carried out before an audit
- What to pay attention to during the audit
- What is a good audit report
- What aspects are important in monitoring audit results, corrective and preventive actions
Students will benefit by:
- Learning how to plan, conduct, and report quality audit results
- Enhancing your understanding of the components of an internal quality audit program
- Gaining an in-depth understanding of ISO 9001 requirements
- Getting answers to your toughest audit questions
Capturing a working knowledge of the practices, roles and responsibilities of an auditor
Business Continuity and Contingency Planning
MassMEP 27A Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA, United StatesMassMEP’s "Business Continuity and Contingency Planning” is designed for companies who are interested in the assistance of the development, implementation, and maintenance of a process to mitigate risk to business due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. COVID-19). The course will provide a company’s personnel with a) Training towards Risk Management, b) Establishing methods of risk mitigation with consideration towards personnel, customers, the supply chain, policies and procedures, and c) Instructions on establishing and implementing a Business Continuity and Contingency Plan.
Employers instituting measures of assessing risk and thorough implementation of emergency preparedness and/or business continuity plan can help prevent disruptions to health, safety, and the supply chain by being able to answer:
- How will this affect interested parties?
- What operations are effected?
- Who has the authority to communicate?
- When are the actions taken?
- Where operations can continue?
When an organization proactively plans to avoid and mitigate any risk associated with the disruption of its activities, the organization is better prepared to handle unforeseen challenges. Though not strictly pertaining to just coronavirus, a business continuity/contingency plan determines detailed steps to issue guidance on how to move forward by utilizing existing means of control, training, and management of operations when the risk has been established. This will assure interested parties (customers, vendors, etc.) that your organization is able to remove obstacles and have secondary methods to ensure product or service is uninterrupted.
This 16-hour training course is designed for personnel at all levels of the organization.
Topics include:
- Risk Management Overview
- Risk Assessment
- Planning of Risk Mitigation Activities
- Human Resources
- Vendor Control
- Internal/External Communication Methods
- Work Environment
- Submission Requirements
Additive Manufacturing in the New Normal with Design Point
In 2020, the global supply chain was disrupted by the devastating Covid-19 crisis. In this new reality companies that had future proofed their processes and removed risk from their supply chains thrived while others perished. In this segment, additive engineer Andrew Garchik will present specific use cases showing how manufacturers are using additive manufacturing to make their supply chains leaner and meaner. Also, Solidworks expert Dan Lawrence will be covering Dfam (design for additive manufacturing) and will be showcasing a 3d printed drone as an example.
Lead Generation Webinar with Tribal Vision
Assess Your Sales Structure & Learn Techniques to Maximize Lead Conversion
This webinar will help manufacturers put in place building blocks necessary to optimize lead generation methods and for closing, marketing qualified leads (MQLs) in a sales pipeline. Specific sub-topics will include:
- Digital sales enablement
- LinkedIn outreach best practices and mastery
- Drip email marketing outreach and best practices
Leveraging the cutting edge "sales 2.0” tools and platforms to efficiently prospect
Massachusetts is leading manufacturing into the future
Manufacturing in Massachusetts – Creating an Innovation Ecosystem
How we support the ecosystem during a pandemic and outside of a pandemic
Date: Friday, November 20, 2020
Description: The MERT worked to identify companies manufacturing or who pivoted to manufacture essential PPE products. Working to build the innovation ecosystem for the future and the impact on the Massachusetts manufacturing supply chain.
Host:
Elisabeth Reynolds (MIT)
Elisabeth B. Reynolds is a Principal Research Scientist and Lecturer in MIT’s Dept. of Urban Studies in Planning. She is the executive director of the MIT Industrial Performance Center and more recently, became executive director of MIT’s Institute-wide initiative on the Work of the Future (WotF). WotF was launched in 2018 to understand the relationship between technology, work, and society and how technology can be developed to enhance and augment human activities.
Guests:
Julie Chen (UML)
Dr. Julie Chen is the Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. As the Chief Research Officer, Dr. Chen directs UMass Lowell’s $90 million research enterprise, which spans all academic departments and 17 research and engagement centers and institutes. She also oversees industry partnerships, technology transfer, startups & innovation, core research facilities, and economic development programs.
Laura Teicher (FORGE)
Laura is Executive Director at FORGE, a 501(c)3 nonprofit helping innovators to navigate the journey from physical prototype through commercialization and impact at scale. FORGE's Manufacturing Initiative provides critical readiness support and tailored connections to regional supply chain expertise and manufacturers. This work has led to over $30 million in known contracts and purchase orders to make innovative products locally. FORGE is the sister organization of Greentown Labs - the largest climate tech incubator in North America.
NextFlex Massachusetts Node Webinar
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at MassTech Collaborative together with the University of Massachusetts Lowell are initiating a webinar series for the NextFlex¨ Massachusetts Node.
- Collaboration opportunities;
- Posted job openings;
- Internships;
- Resources list; and
- Company spotlights.
ISO Internal Auditor 9001:2015 – Small Business Direct Access (SBDAP)
MassMEP 27A Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA, United StatesThis is a 4-day training see recurring event
Who Should Attend: This course is recommended for anyone involved in designing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a quality management system and/or performing internal audits of a quality management system, such as quality officers, managers, and auditors. No prior knowledge of auditing, quality management systems, or ISO 9001:2008 is required prior to attending this course.
Course Highlights / Topics Covered:
- The process approach, performance indicators and risk
- The "Plan-Do-Check-Act” principle
- The key elements of a quality management system, management of documents/records, deviations, corrective and preventive actions
- Management responsibility, management representative and management review
- Measurement, analysis and continuous improvement on customer satisfaction, quality management effectiveness through internal audits, process performance and conformity to product requirements
- What are internal audits
- Why are internal audits conducted
- What preparatory work should be carried out before an audit
- What to pay attention to during the audit
- What is a good audit report
- What aspects are important in monitoring audit results, corrective and preventive actions
Students will benefit by:
- Learning how to plan, conduct, and report quality audit results
- Enhancing your understanding of the components of an internal quality audit program
- Gaining an in-depth understanding of ISO 9001 requirements
- Getting answers to your toughest audit questions
Capturing a working knowledge of the practices, roles and responsibilities of an auditor
Cobots Can Lend a Hand
Battling COVID-19 - Cobots Can Lend a Hand, Presented by MassMEP and Axis New England
- Tues, Jan 19, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Massachusetts is leading manufacturing into the future – The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative
Manufacturing in Massachusetts –Branding for the Future of Manufacturing Importance of Manufacturing to the Massachusetts Ecosystem
Developing future talent in Advanced Manufacturing at such an opportune moment in time, as manufacturing has been the champion in the fight against COVID-19.
Date: Friday, January 22, 2021
Description: Advanced manufacturing is the future and we need skilled workers to sustain that future. The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative is working on marketing and branding manufacturing now to build the demand for the future.
Host:
Mike Tamasi, President & CEO AccuRounds
A second-generation owner, Michael has worked in the family business since 1985. He is responsible for the overall strategy and organizational alignment guided by "The Path to Perfection” – providing an opportunity for every member of the AccuRounds team. Michael is intensely focused on enterprise excellence driven by continuous improvement principles, initiating the focus on world-class manufacturing in 1995.
Michael is very active in industry and educational organizations including government appointments to the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, currently serving as Co-Chair, and previously sitting on the MA STEM Advisory Council. Michael continues his STEM awareness contributions thru the SE MA STEM Network. He is the Chairman of Business Leaders United, a group led by the National Skills Coalition in Washington DC.
Guests:
Kelley French, Deputy Director Masshire
Experienced leader with an impressive history of fundraising and program development to achieve the organizational mission and address the needs of the participants served. Conceives a strategic vision and the resources to fulfill that vision, including inspiring staff and partners to attain successful outcomes. A professional and dynamic leader with a track record of establishing lasting partnerships, meeting or exceeding the performance requirements of funders, and managing budgets and resources. Extensive experience administering not-for-profits and funding from federal, state, and private sources.
Dave Cruise, President & Chief Executive Officer MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board
Formerly, the Executive Director of Human Resources for the Public Schools of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Sean Killam, Director of Public Affairs MassMEP
Sean Killam is a lifelong learner, legal scholar, business innovator, economist, civil and political rights advocate, and a former Assistant District Attorney in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has the reputation of being a passionate advocate for public-private partnerships, with a particular emphasis on redefining the role of corporate governance to address societal concerns in areas where positive bottom-line impact can also be demonstrated. As the director of public affairs at MassMEP, Sean is responsible for aligning stakeholder interests, leveraging the science of influence to achieve data-driven results and successful business strategies statewide.
Sean holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a JD from Suffolk Law School.
Digitalization of Your Production System I4.0 Info Session – Virtual Session
Why Industry 4.0 in Manufacturing Now?
Unlocking the value of your organization.
We are excited to present our first Industry 4.0 Roundtable! At this event, you will learn how the digitalization of your organization can open up endless possibilities to improve cost, quality, and delivery. Throughout this roundtable, our experts will guide you through the first steps in your roadmap of transformational solutions with Industry 4.0.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's how resilient manufacturing is in Massachusetts. Now as we enter 2021, Manufacturing is making its mark within our own borders and Industry 4.0 is one piece in the progression of manufacturing. MassMEP has asked Spinnaker Venture partners to hold a one-hour virtual information session to highlight the foundation of Industry 4.0. This hour is to give you an insight on Why you would implement Industry 4.0 for the growth and continuous improvement with your company, team, and clients. Join us for this virtual meeting.
"A digital agenda requires breaking down "data silos” and building successful processes that encompass the entire organization. Successful industrial transformation initiatives require understanding the anatomy of change, your organizational maturity, and the ability to use the forces of change to drive transformation.” Industry Week
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) – Virtual
Manufacturers in the DoD supply chain are required to have adequate information security measures in place to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Starting in 2020, independent auditors will be assessing manufacturers' security posture, which will determine which contracts they can bid. This session will provide an overview of these requirements and the various options available to ensure compliance with them.
This communication was prepared under contract with the State of Vermont, as fiscal agent for the New England Collaborative, with financial support from the Office of Economic Adjustment, Department of Defense. The content reflects the views of the New England Collaborative and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Economic Adjustment, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the participating states.