Are Manufacturing Consultants Worth the Investment?
In the world of manufacturing, streamlining operations and increasing efficiency are key components of success. Whether you’ve been in the game for years, or are relatively new to the industry, at some point you’ll
CMTC Launches California’s Sourcing & Procurement Platform
In a time when managing supply chains has become increasingly complex, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) and their California’s Manufacturing Network (CMN) partners continue to provide ongoing services and support for manufacturers across the
Manex Named as a 2023 Power Partner Award Winner
Manex was named B2B Power Partner for Manufacturing Consulting among the Power Partner Awards B2B Superstars published in Inc.com in November 2023. Inc. Power Partners was launched in 2022 in order to bring recognition
The Principle of the Matter: Manufacturing Efficiency
5 Principles of Lean Manufacturing Optimize productivity. Minimize inefficiency and waste. No one in manufacturing, or really any industry, would argue with these two directives. Yet, how do you accomplish both? In manufacturing, it’s
Do You Have a Plan for Becoming Part of the EV Supply Chain?
By David Boulay Reposted with permission from nist.gov. The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) poses various degrees of risk to auto suppliers that make parts for internal combustion engines (ICE). While no one can say
George Chao: From His Own Startup to Helping Other Startups in Silicon Valley
Reposted with permission from nist.gov. This blog is part of series recognizing the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders to the manufacturing industry. George Chao first learned about the MEP National NetworkTM when
Manex Secures ETP Funds for NorCal Manufacturers
Manex, the NIST MEP Manufacturing Center for Bay Area and Sacramento regions, is pleased to announce that we have received a new multi-employer contract effective March 27, 2023 through March 26, 2025. As a
A Kaizen Success Story for Soapy Faith Soap Co.
Let’s see, what’s in my shopping cart this morning? “Patience is Power” and “Have Some Self Control.” What? It’s soap and it’s fantastic. The names and packaging are driven by self-affirmations which are almost
5 Things We Learned in Germany
By Matthew Fieldman Reposted with permission from nist.gov I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz around the German apprenticeship system – but does it really live up to the hype? That’s what a recent mission of 16
Manufacturers Identify Top Challenges They Expect to Face
By: Megean Blum and Nico Thomas Reposted with permission by nist.gov When Nico asked me if I wanted to collaborate on this year’s challenges blog, my second thought after agreeing to the idea was a scene from
Manufacturing Roundtable
In honor of Manufacturing Week, the City of Morgan Hill hosted a Manufacturing Roundtable on October 13 featuring two panels with leading industry experts, including Manex President & CEO Gene Russell. Watch Webinar Recording
Keeping California Manufacturing at the Top
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO Building a new generation of manufacturing workers will help make this happen. MFG Day is manufacturing’s biggest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation to start careers in
Tightening Your Grip: Are You Prepared for a Recession?
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO Is a recession here or is it coming? For the purposes of this week’s blog, let’s just say it doesn’t matter. Getting a better grip on your business
Reshoring and the Pandemic – Bringing Manufacturing Back to America
Reposted with permission from www.nist.gov A new infographic, Reshoring and the Pandemic: Bringing Manufacturing Back to America, delves into various factors related to reshoring supply chains and shines a light on how the MEP National Network™ supports
Manufacturing Executives Meet With Deputy Secretary of Commerce
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex), and SFMade hosted a manufacturing roundtable discussion with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves on December 7, 2021. Several Manex clients were invited to
California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) and California Competes Grant Program (CCGP)
California manufacturers can apply for tax credits and grant programs made available through California Competes January 3 - January 24, 2022. Businesses can register now for a California Competes webinar to learn more about the
Manex 2021 Fiscal Year Strivers, Achievers, and Trend Setters
We would like to thank our client partners for including us in their advisory and training efforts to grow, cut costs, increase quality, improve workforce development, and sustainability in California. They are simply outstanding, and
Two Industry 4.0 Technologies Primed for the Food Manufacturing Industry
Industry 4.0 technologies for food manufacturing are setting the stage for exciting innovation and growth potential in the food manufacturing industry. This article takes a closer look at two technologies to watch. By Matthew Inniger
Farm to Factory to Table: The Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry
Reposted With Permission Via nist.gov The food and beverage industry is the third largest contributor to the overall U.S. manufacturing gross domestic product. Total employment in the industry is over 1.8 million and over three-quarters
Manex Secures ETP Funds for Northern California Manufacturers
Manex, the NIST MEP Manufacturing Center for Bay Area and Sacramento regions and a partner of California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), is pleased to announce that we have received a new multi-employer contract as
New Tax Credit to Fully Offset the Cost for Small Businesses Who Provide Paid Leave for Employees to Get Vaccinated
Reposted via NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership The White House is making a special request to the MEP National Network because of our unique relationship and access to the nation’s small and medium-sized manufacturers. The Network
America Works – An Innovative Approach to Workforce Development
By Matthew Fieldman Reposted with permission by NIST.gov Nurturing innovation in workforce development The American manufacturing industry is at a crossroads, facing growing competition from foreign countries while struggling to develop a skilled, dedicated workforce here
Final Manufacturing Survey of 2020 Finds Cautious Optimism to Close Out Turbulent Year
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released its final Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey of the year, which showed optimism climbing from its low in the second quarter brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fourth
Overcoming the Impact of COVID-19 on Manufacturing & Distribution
Reposted With Permission By SquarMilner (now Baker Tilly) Many industries are already feeling the devastating effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Across the country manufacturers and distributors are working to keep their teams and communities safe
The Storm Continues: COVID-19 & Manufacturing
california manufacturers during COVID-19
Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing
By Gene Russell, Manex President & CEO In our previous blog, we discussed immediate issues facing manufacturers reopening after the Covid-19 shelter in place. This week I want to pivot to a topic about a
Resilient as Ever, California Manufacturers Begin Recovery
By Gene Russell, Manex President & CEO California Manufacturers operating in a challenging environment for the past four decades show their toughness and flexibility on the COVID-19 battlefront. Essential manufacturers have stayed open, learning and
Business Assistance Program to Help Small & Mid-Sized Manufacturers With COVID-19 Challenges
By Samantha Miller, Business Services Coordinator at Alameda County Workforce Development Board The Alameda County Workforce Development Board (ACWDB) and The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) have expanded their Business Assistance Program (BAP) for small
How Blockchain Technology Can Help the Manufacturing Industry Evolve
By Guest Blogger Larisa Rapaport, Partner Squarmilner & Manufacturing Enthusiast The Use of Blockchain Technology is Growing in Manufacturing Blockchain technology is on the rise in the manufacturing and distribution industry. Airlines use it to
The Five Critical Skills for Making Change Happen and Stick
Joseph Folkman is a Careers Contributor to Forbes Magazine. His most recent contribution is all about leading change, a central skillset in the challenging world of California-based manufacturing. Any leader needing or wanting to lead change
Manex Partnerships and Connections for SME Manufacturers
By Gene Russell, President & CEO of Manex Manex often acts as a central resource hub to its large base of manufacturing partners and clients. We are not just interested in projects, improvements, and training
Manex Secures ETP Funds for Northern California Manufacturer Training
2019-2021 Partnership to Focus on Local Manufacturing Workforce The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex), a 24-year-old non-profit focused on growing manufacturing and jobs in Northern California, has received its most recent Employment Training Panel (ETP)
Successful AMBayArea Summit 2019
By James Gardner, Executive Director of the Association of Manufacturers Bay Area On Tuesday, April 30, nearly 280 manufacturers, service providers, and community partners gathered at Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland for the
Gene Russell Accepted Into Forbes Coaches Council
Forbes Coaches Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Leading Business and Career Coaches Gene Russell, President and CEO of The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) in San Ramon, California, has been accepted into Forbes Coaches
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Watch the The Fourth Industrial Revolution as envisioned by Manufacturers Edge in Colorado. This Industry 4.0 video will take you through the history of the first three industrial revolutions, and into today's fourth revolution with emerging
Evaluating the Impact of Manufacturing Extension Services on Establishment Performance
Clifford A. Lipscomb, Jan Youtie, Philip Shapira, Sanjay Arora, and Andy Krause Abstract This study examines the effects of receipt of business assistance services from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) on manufacturing establishment performance. The
Governor’s Office Marks Manufacturing Awareness and Appreciation Month With Recognition of San Joaquin Valley Events
From the Office of Community & Economic Development, Fresno State Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, ended a month-long set of manufacturing events in the San Joaquin Valley and was recognized by the Office of Governor Jerry
Deadline Approaching for DOD Contractors
The window for Department of Defense (DOD) contractors to bring themselves into compliance with cybersecurity requirements is closing. Specifically, changes to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) published in late 2016 require that DOD
Manex Reports Stellar Client Results in its Most Recent Quarterly Report
Manex Consulting received a perfect 100 total score for the most recent quarter, our highest ever and the highest available score. One of the key indicators of client satisfaction is the Net Promotor Score. The
ETP Funds Available Now
Manex recently signed its 14th contract with California agencies and received $1 million in Employment Training Panel (ETP) funding to help Northern California manufacturing businesses. Your company can use these ETP funds toward a dozen
California Competes Tax Credit Program
Industry News: The California Competes Tax Credit Program has approximately $200 million in tax credits available during the 2017-18 fiscal year for businesses that want to expand in or relocate to California. GO-Biz will accept
New JOBS Act
This summer, Congressman John Garamendi and Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced the Job Opportunities Between our Shores (JOBS Act). The goal of the legislation is to promote advanced manufacturing in California and throughout the United States,
NIST MEP Credential Survey
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), through the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is embarking on a very important activity to determine the use and value of manufacturing credentials. There are many choices
Open Call for U.S. Suppliers
"As we seek out new innovative U.S.-made items, we will once again host an Open Call. Registration is now open for Walmart's 2017 Open Call. We invite both current and potential suppliers to apply to attend. Open Call will be hosted at our corporate offices in Bentonville, Arkansas, on June 28."
Construction of American Pipelines: Request for Information
Industry News President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum on January 24, 2017 regarding the Construction of American Pipelines. The memorandum calls for agencies to develop a plan under which all new pipelines, as well as retrofitted, repaired,
Reap the Benefits of a CA Made Label
The “buy local” movement is gaining momentum. Is your business taking full advantage of this sales opportunity? CA Made is a new state-labeling program designed to encourage consumer product awareness and to promote the
B2B Platform Announcement
Manex (Northern California’s MEP) SFMade (a regional public-private partnership) and BriteHub (a private technology company) are implementing a powerful new design-manufacturing collaboration and sourcing platform that will catalyze regional product design/innovation, connect new product demand
Tech Startups Create Virtual Farmers Markets
By Terence Chea, Associated Press This article on San Francisco-based Good Eggs company appeared in Manufacturing.Net, and discusses how this start-up is using technology to bolster the market for locally produced foods. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —