The Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a resource provided by the university for manufacturing companies in Nebraska to grow a competitive advantage, increase productivity, develop leadership, and improve technological performance. 

“The Nebraska MEP offers expertise through customized workshops, training programs, industry events, and consulting,” said Matt Allmand, director of the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

A manufacturer with a competitive advantage adds an economic advantage to the state as it brings jobs and income to communities.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Services

The MEP largely works with small-to-medium manufacturers and offers a free one-hour Competitive Assessment Review for any interested manufacturer. 

Allmand said this complimentary assessment reviews the given answers and provides manufacturers insight compared with over 3,500 others who have also taken the assessment. The assessment covers four main categories: organization, workforce, systems, and sustainability which serves as a planning starting point.

Beyond the initial assessment, the MEP also provides supervisor trainings, lean manufacturing trainings, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification, and, in partnership with the university’s Food Processing Center, several food safety trainings. 

“The common thread through all of our offerings is a focus on strategy and culture to try and help manufacturers build a foundation that helps them be successful for a long time,” Allmand said. 

Allmand said when companies build a strong foundation from opportunities offered by the MEP, they have the ability to impact not only on their employees and communities, but also business relationships and partnerships.

A certification from the MEP can be the boost a company needs to be noticed in their sector. Lean manufacturing training and consulting are two ways to provide this boost.

Lean Manufacturing Training

Lean manufacturing is one training option offered at the MEP.

Allmand said Lean manufacturing is a globally successful business approach that emphasizes lowering the amount of waste in manufacturing organizations, while simultaneously maximizing the productivity and lowering risk.

Lean manufacturing is tested and has origins in the Training Within Industry Services created by the United States government, according to Allmand.

“Lean manufacturing puts value on every employee,” Allmand said. “It engages the whole team to look at the processes.” 

For example, Allmand said a line-worker’s job is not just to build light towers. Instead, the job is to build the light towers every day, better than the day before.

Lean manufacturing focuses on continuous improvement with a high level of respect for every employee in the organization. Much of this training through the MEP is open to individuals in Nebraska, not just companies. 

“We invite anyone in the state to complete the training with employees from other companies,” Allmand said.

By doing so, the MEP promotes a sense of community, not only within a company, but also among all companies within an industry to promote a stronger public together.

MEP Consulting for Manufacturers

The MEP also provides consulting to all interested manufacturers, Allmand said.

In this instance, a specialist with the MEP travels to a manufacturer to accomplish a specific goal. This might include working with manufacturers to develop a company strategy or deployment plan.

Allmand said the MEP helps companies grow in a way so that they can represent themselves as highly qualified by having an ISO certification and or other similar certifications. 

Manufacturers can not only represent themselves as competitive, but also help the state of Nebraska stay competitive.

Community Connections

When a company is successful and competitive in their sector, they have the ability to share that success with their community. Many times, a manufacturing company is a rock for a community providing steady jobs and opportunities to grow professionally.

Allmand said these companies are also many times sponsors for baseball teams, FFA chapters, and are the ones who donate to community engagement and charitable organizations. This is particularly true for rural Nebraska communities.

Ultimately, the goal of the MEP is to help manufacturers thrive and build communities. The group provides a supportive impact on the lives of all Nebraskans, as services are available statewide.

“The MEP acknowledges the value manufacturers play in rural communities, specifically in an agriculture-based economy,” Allmand said. “While the primary driver in most of the small towns might be agriculture, there is usually a manufacturer on the outside of town that also provides valuable jobs and input into the community.”

Connecting with the MEP

Find contacts and more information on the MEP, including schedules for industry trainings open to the public at nemep.unl.edu.

The MEP also has Twitter and Facebook accounts both found under the name @MEPNebraska.