For small- and medium-sized manufacturers not knowing where to turn for help can be even scarier than for larger companies with bigger budgets and more resources. But there is a place for smaller companies to turn. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has provided customized assistance for more than 107,000 manufacturers. Funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers in more than 400 locations whose goal is to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers the help they need to succeed.
Centers in more than 400 locations serve all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and provide the expertise of manufacturing and business specialists. Each center, with local and national resources, can evaluate the capabilities of a company to provide technical and business solutions, create partnerships and encourage learning through seminars and training programs.