Manufacturing Extension Partnership cites big impact from programs

says its programs had big impact
Wisconsin manufacturers reported a $57 million impact as result of business assistance provided by Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) during the fiscal year ended June 30.
WMEP provided technical expertise and hands-on business assistance to 489 small and mid-size manufactures – an increase of 49% over the prior year.
Contributing to the $57 million customer impact were $35 million in higher sales and $22 million in cost reductions and expense avoidance.
“Our goal is to help companies become high performance firms,” said Michael Klonsinski, WMEP’s executive director. “Many of the companies we work with are surprised to see the results that can be obtained from relatively low-cost, high-impact strategies such as lean manufacturing.”
Lean cuts waste from manufacturing processes and helps firms better utilize employees. Companies employing lean strategies report higher profits, reduced costs, lower inventories and enhanced employee satisfaction.
During the past year, more than 2,500 manufacturing managers and employees from 162 companies participated in Principles of Lean Manufacturing workshops offered by WMEP in cooperation with Wisconsin’s technical colleges.
WMEP, which has offices in Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton, provides technical expertise and hands-on business assistance to help small and mid-size manufacturers improve productivity and compete more effectively. WMEP brings other world-class resources to small manufacturers through partnerships with the Wisconsin Technical College System, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the University of Wisconsin and other public and private organizations.
For more information, visit www.wmep.org, or call WMEP toll free at 1-877-856-8588.
Aug. 3, 2001 Small Business Times, Milwaukee