Blogging might be an important marketing strategy for other industries, but for manufacturers, it’s not that relevant… right?Wrong. Every industry should be blogging, even – or especially –ones not always considered glam

Successful entrepreneurs Robert and Becky Foster founded the Intimidator Group with the all-American, hardworking values that made their previous companies successful. Based in Batesville, Arkansas, the Intimidator Group c

I’ve been on a long-term quest to convince folks that productivity is important and not just something economists are concerned about. I’ve written about productivity a couple of times over the years, so when an MEP cent

Founded in 1963, Miles Fiberglass and Composites (MFC) has over 50 years of experience in the fiberglass and composites industry. The family-owned corporation employs 73 people between its two plants in Oregon City, and Po

On the surface, the manufacturing industry’s “good news, bad news” scenario appears to lean toward the good. The 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index projects the U.S. will be the most competitive manufacturin

While Fridays have always been a reason to celebrate, the first Friday of October is one that is near and dear to the MEP National NetworkTM, as this year, Friday, October 1, is Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)! Organizing you

This blog is the seventh in a monthly series brought to you by the America Works initiative. As a part of the MEP National Network’s goal of supporting the growth of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, this ser

The persisting crisis in the global supply chain has disrupted many small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and put a premium on problem solving and short-term solutions for getting parts and supplies. While there are

Believe it or not, the technology that brought you Bitcoin is beginning to make waves in the food manufacturing industry. This technology, called blockchain, is a digital ledger maintained across several computers, then li

This blog is the eighth in a monthly series brought to you by the America Works initiative. As a part of the MEP National Network’s goal of supporting the growth of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, this seri

At the root, Food For The Soles philosophy is simple – make the best tasting and most healthy portable foods for people headed out on adventures. As avid hikers, Julie Mosier and her son Henry didn’t like the boring and re

This is an exciting time in the food manufacturing industry. The innovations and technology associated with Industry 4.0 are making it easier for small and medium-sized manufacturers to overcome obstacles in ways that at o

Some are calling it, “The Great Resignation.” Others are calling it “The Great Reshuffle.” After spending the past year as Executive Director of America Works, I’ve talked with more than 250 manufacturing workforce develop

Each year, the MEP National NetworkTM is fortunate to assist manufacturing companies across the nation that are operating at the cutting-edge of their industries and creating distinct, quality products. And, each year, we

Manufacturing Month may be over, but many federal agencies celebrate and support U.S. manufacturing and manufacturers year-round! If you couldn’t join the interagency Manufacturing Month series of five-webinars hosted by t

Can a simple online game change the way you view your manufacturing business? Absolutely. The “Ready or Not” manufacturing simulation game developed by the Oregon MEP (OMEP) is a live, interactive experience set in a hypot

Apprenticeships have a proven track record of producing strong results for both employers and workers. Apprenticeship programs offer access to hundreds of occupations, in high-growth and emerging industries with an average annual starting salary of $72k for employees who complete a program and a 9

Additive manufacturing can be used in countless industries and applications, ranging from making small-scale prototypes to producing refined rocket engines. If you’re still on the fence about incorporating additive manufacturing technologies into your manufacturing operations, consider its many be

There has been a 24% increase in the number of data breaches caused by malicious attacks since 2014. As cybercriminals continue to sharpen their hacking capabilities, it’s increasingly important to protect your manufacturing operations against them with a strong cybersecurity strategy in order to

If your food manufacturing plant has to issue a product recall, many people might take to social media to vent their frustrations, resulting in a public backlash that can damage your brand’s reputation. Other consumers might opt to switch brands, resulting in further revenue loss. How can you ensu