The Associated Industries of Massachusetts Manufacturing Institute, MassDevelopment, and Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership have formed a new partnership – Next Generation Manufacturing Initiative (NGMI). NGMI is a proactive approach to assist manufacturers who are open to change and willing to reinvent themselves in order to remain globally competitive and accelerate their growth – the "next generation manufacturer."
NGMI will work to assist selected companies to establish a successful growth strategy for their future. The next generation manufacturer wants to radically grow its top line sales with an investment in people, process, and plant facilities. Since 2001, productivity in manufacturing has increased, even though there has been a decline in the number of overall companies in Massachusetts – indicating that companies willing to change can remain competitive.
For the first phase of the initiative, AIM, MassDevelopment, and MassMEP will identify five (5) manufacturing companies that are committed to growth and expansion in Massachusetts. These companies must be willing to invest or have already invested in technology, equipment, and their workforce.
The selected companies will undergo, at no cost, an enterprise-wide assessment of key areas to identify strengths and weaknesses within the company, provide recommendations for change, determine short and long-term return on investment, and provide a technology roadmap to move forward. By identifying these key areas, the partners can then work with the company to develop a strategy that best suits the needs of the company and allow it to impact its bottom line. The value of the assessment is $15,000.
The initiative will target companies in Gateway Cities regions across Massachusetts. Online applications are available at http://www.massmep.org/ngmi.html. The deadline to submit completed applications is May 15, 2008.
For additional information on the NGMI, please contact Glenn Gertridge, New Business Development Manager, MassMEP at 781-376-0028.
Background MassDevelopment, the Commonwealth’s finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions, and local officials to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY 2007, MassDevelopment financed or managed 211 projects statewide representing the investment of more than $2 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are supporting the creation of more than 1,280 new housing units and more than 11,000 permanent or construction-related jobs. Contact Adam Bickleman, Director of Communications at (617) 330-2086.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), with support from the Commonwealth and the U.S. Department of Commerce – National Institute of Standards MassMEP, works to leverage a vast array of public and private resources and services to help manufactures remain competitive in the global marketplace. Contact Michael Prior, Operations Manager at (781) 376-0028.
Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan employer association of more than 7,000 Bay State businesses and institutions whose mission is to make Massachusetts a good place to live and work. AIM created the Manufacturing Institute to ensure that manufacturing remains a critical component of the state’s economy by serving as a one-stop resource for manufacturers, providing updates on public-policy issues, sharing best practices, and offering education in advanced productivity methods. Contact Brian Gilmore, Executive Vice President – Public Affairs, William Baldino, Vice President-Employer Services Group at (617) 262-1180.
