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New Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA) Provides Critical Support and Resources to Help Utah Manufacturers Thrive

Salt Lake City – The Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA) announces its official launch. UIRA provides all Utah manufacturers with a single, expert resource to help them improve their bottom line. UIRA delivers service and outreach to the manufacturing industry in the form of industry-specific training, mentoring and coaching, and becomes a trusted business advisor to its clients.

The manufacturing industry is critical to Utah’s economy. UIRA is a vital economic development organization, chartered specifically to help Utah manufacturers. The Alliance pools the expertise of the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (UUMEP), Utah State University’s (USU) Manufacturing Extension Service and their Manufacturing and Outdoor Products SUPPORT HUB, iMpact Utah, Utah Manufacturers Association (UMA), World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) and the Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI). This powerful team provides access to manufacturing specialists, application engineers and research professionals from the top organizations and universities in the state.

UIRA delivers industry-centric resources such as process improvement and operational efficiencies, supply chain optimization, revenue growth, leadership development, quality systems and certifications. Available programs include cyber security, organizational excellence, continuous improvement, sustainable practices, technology acceleration, international business development, workforce development, supplier development and topline and bottom-line growth resources, among others. As part of the national Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), UIRA leverages federal and state resources to support manufacturers even further.

The Alliance is especially critical to the manufacturing industry as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Many manufacturers are seeking out methods to streamline and improve their processes as they face increasing demands.

“Manufacturing is a vital part of the state’s economy,” said Stephen Reed, director of USU’s Utah Manufacturing Extension Service. “It is essential that manufacturers have access to every tool they need to succeed, grow and thrive. Utah Industry Resource Alliance was founded to provide a unified resource for these tools.”

UIRA serves all 29 Utah counties, ensuring manufacturers throughout the state of Utah are supported. Many of their programs can be accessed online, and 29 locations are available state-wide.

For more information about UIRA, visit https://utahira.org/, call (801) 587-0713, or email info@utahira.org.

About Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA)
Utah Industry Resource Alliance is the premier source for assessing needs and providing solutions available through public and private resources. We live and work in communities across the state. Our primary focus is to help Utah’s manufacturers thrive.

Media Contact:
Jenny Haase
Director of Marketing & Relationship Development, iMpact Utah
P: (801) 703-5161 | E: jenny@impactutah.org | W: www.impactutah.org

Safety Certification puts local kombucha on Whole Foods’ shelves

Mamachari Kombucha, founded in 2013 and owned by Lorrie Vorkink and Ben Phillips, brews craft kombucha in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. They focus on brewing the finest kombucha, using organic and natural ingredients to produce a wide variety of flavor profiles while producing a consistent and quality product. Mamachari Kombucha products are all vegan with exception of two flavors that include honey.  Some of their unique flavors include Lemon Ginger, Mint Lime, Roots & Botanicals, Jasmine Rose, Concord Grape, Honey Hops, Flower Power, and Lavender Honey. They also have a tap room where the public sample and purchase specialty flavors such as Mango Habanero, Blueberry Pomegranate, and The Aloha.

Scope

Mamachari Kombucha wanted to increase their customer base by selling their product in local Whole Foods grocery stores, which required them to obtain the Whole Foods Vendor Certification.

Solution

The University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (UUMEP) Center connected Mamachari with a trusted third-party provider Utah Food Safety Consulting, to help them prepare for their food safety audit and implement the Whole Foods’ safety standards at their facility.

Results

As a result of Utah Food Safety Consulting’s assistance, Mamachari:

– Developed food safety procedures and passed the Whole Foods 3rd Party Audit

– Obtained the Whole Foods Vendor Certification and is now available in Whole Foods stores statewide

Impacts

Increased their annual sales by $24,000

Testimonial

“Working with the UUMEP has been a great experience. From the beginning, they have been genuinely interested in what we do, and how to best help facilitate business growth. They were very hands-on and helped identify resources we were unaware of, then coordinated initial meetings as well as follow-up meetings to help ensure continued progress toward the end goal. We highly recommend engaging with the UUMEP team to support any specific objectives related to consulting and/or engineering to facilitate growth. As a result of our experience, we will be reaching out to UUMEP often!”

Ben Phillips, Owner

 

Increasing productivity & reducing waste saved plastics company over $120,000 per year

Founded in 1984 in Logan, Utah, Plastic Resources, Inc. (PRI) is a provider of manufactured solutions to companies all over the world. PRI specializes in plastic extrusion, plastic thermoforming, machine tooling and part fabrication, and can take a project from concept to final production, including post-production processes. With clients ranging from semiconductors to aerospace to landscaping, PRI’s modern production methods and dedicated team set them apart from others in the industry.

Project scope

PRI wanted to improve internal processes and reduce material waste in their manufacturing, especially in the plastic extrusion area of the production.

Solution

The PRI leadership team, with the help of the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (UUMEP) Center’s trusted third-party provider World Class Transformation, launched a continuous improvement program based on lean principles.

Results

As a result of expert coaching by World Class Transformation, PRI made significant improvements by reducing waste and increasing machine output. All of their employees were also trained on the fundamentals of lean manufacturing.

Impacts

By applying lean concepts, the company was able to:

  • Reduce waste by 17% on average per order, saving an estimated $80,000 per year
  • Increase productivity on one production line (machine) by 20% per day, saving $44,000 per year in new capacity

Client testimonial

“Our interactions with the UUMEP Center drastically improved our internal processes. Training courses provided an opportunity for open exchange between employees to find solutions to problems. The UUMEP Center also facilitated the cultural shift necessary for changes to stick.” 

Trent Hagaman, Sales Manager

Ten things you didn’t know we offer

 

By Maureen Brakke, Marketing Manager

In case you haven’t worked with us before or heard of us, we are public-private partnership working with manufacturers to improve all aspects of manufacturing, from the shop floor to the front office. We’ve recently worked with clients on projects ranging from website development, equipment selection to industry certifications. We recognize there is not a one-size solution for everyone, and we pride ourselves in creating customized solutions for each of our clients. However, there are some client offerings you might not know we provide.

Below is a list of the top ten offerings you (probably) didn’t know we provide:

1. Tech Scouting & Technology-Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI): It’s no secret that technology can be the great equalizer for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Whether your company is evaluating its technology for market diversification, strategic planning or understanding the market landscape and drivers, our TDMI process uses a proven and robust tool-set to gather real world insight from industry experts and assess your technology’s commercial opportunities and barriers. Contact us for more information.

2. Marketing: Navigating the world of online marketing can be daunting. From website creation, to brand development and social media management, we have what it takes to give your business a great first impression. Having an up-to-date and user-friendly website is important in today’s marketplace. If you need to design a company brand, re-brand, or need help getting started with social media–or need someone to manage it, we have trusted third-party providers we work with to ensure our clients receive the best marketing services possible. Contact us to learn more.

3. Food Safety Certifications: If you are in food manufacturing, having the right certifications can be key in growing your business. Whether it’s SQF, FMP, or just FSMA, our team will help you prepare for that activity. Contact us to learn more.

4. Energy Assessments: In partnership with the Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center, we provide energy audits to help clients identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce water, and save energy. This audit typically identifies more than $130,000 in potential annual savings opportunities for every manufacturer assessed, nearly $50,000 of which is implemented during the first year following the audit. Check out our short video on energy-saving tips. Contact us to learn more.

5. Design Engineering: CAD design and quick CAD design are not usually found in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what we do. Our team is capable of delivering rapid CAD prototypes and works directly with our clients to eliminate wasted time. Along with delivering a digital CAD file and associated drawings, our team has over 50 years of combined experience in designing for manufacturability and provides valuable feedback to prevent future pitfalls. Contact us to learn more.

6. ExporTech: Ever thought about selling your product internationally? This is a national export assistance program helping companies enter or expand in global markets. Jointly offered in Utah by us, U.S. Commercial Service, and World Trade Center Utah, we will be launching our first training class late Spring of 2018. Contact us to learn more.

7. Statistical Process Control (SPC): SPC is an industry-standard for measuring and controlling quality. It is data-based and uses statistical techniques. In short, it’s a key tool to improving quality in a manufacturing process. Our team works hand-in-hand with manufacturers to provide guidance and assist with implementation on your production floor. Contact us to learn more.

8. Facility Layouts: We are ready and able to make your facility’s layout as efficient as possible. Powerful simulation and assembly software combined with our team’s experience will push your floor plan beyond the industry standard. We work directly with you to determine your needs and develop a plan for future growth. Contact us to learn more.

9. Equipment Selection and Installation: Introducing new equipment into your assembly line involves much more than a PO and power cord. Our team has experience matching needs to equipment characteristics so that our clients can be assured they are spending their capital on the right equipment. With the right equipment selected, we develop an efficient layout, list installation requirements, and generate standard work instructions. Contact us to learn more.

10. Simulation: Improving processes, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs without risking capital–that’s a no-brainer. We use process simulation to rapidly analyze, test, and implement process changes that increases your company’s profitability. Our staff is trained to leverage discrete event simulation software that proves out processes to ensure your facility is running at peak performance. Contact us to learn more.

We look forward to hearing from you and learning about your company’s needs. Call us at 801.587.0713 or shoot us an email at info@mep.utah.edu

Maureen Brakke is the marketing and communications manager for the University of Utah MEP Center. She previously worked for the Utah System of Higher Education in marketing and communications, managing multiple initiatives, brands, blogs, and websites. Connect with her on Twitter. 

Process standardization improved S&S Steel’s efficiency

Seated just outside Zion National Park, S&S Steel Fabrication has over 35 years of experience in preparing structural steel for commercial applications. They provide the skeleton for new construction in oil and gas, mining and minerals, power transmission, and government applications.

Project Scope

S&S Steel wanted to standardize their project management process.

Solution

Staff engineers at the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center used process mapping to identify key areas of waste and highlight areas for improvement.

Results

  • Developed a standardized project management delivery process.
  • Generated a process map; key decision points highlighted.

Impacts

  • Increased productivity for 3 project managers by 10%.
  • Cost avoidance: No more redundancy or delays in process, saving $26,000 per year.
  • Bid details are no longer missed, not as many errors to address, saving $50,000 per year.

Client testimonial

“Our experience with the MEP Center was very positive. They were respectful of our time, made the best use of it, and helped guide us through the process to achieve our desired result. They brought insights and experience from outside our industry and applied them appropriately. Our estimating and project management teams are more efficient and our exposure to risk is less due to their involvement.” Jeff Staples, Sales Manager 

Alta Racks: Racking up sales for 2018

Ali and Sara Yazdian, avid mountain bikers and product development professionals, used their military grade equipment design experience as inspiration for the design features of their product, Alta Racks. This product is designed to be an adaptable and dynamic hitch-mounted recreational equipment vehicle rack, and help eliminate the need of additional racks for different outdoor recreational activities. Made to withstand life in rugged Utah, from the 11,000 feet peaks of Wasatch to the unforgiving terrain of Moab.

Project Scope

Alta Racks wanted support for their first product launch through an updated and reliable website to educate clients about their product and purchase it online.

Solution

The University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center worked with Ali to discover potential marketing solutions and develop a new business website that fit their budget.

Results

By developing the new website, Alta Racks was able to draw more attention to their product, create legitimacy, and attract professional athletes such as Cam Zink and avid outdoors groups to help promote their product. Cam has also agreed to spotlight the Alta Rack through videos on his social media to help increase online impressions by over 300,000.

Impact

Since working with the MEP Center, Alta Racks has sold $4,000 in product in less than three months, and estimate increased sales of over $150,000 for 2018. They also invested 150 hours in developing local supply chain resources, and as a result, hired six local companies to fabricate parts, develop branding, product shipping, and to maintain their new website.

Client testimonial

“Working with the University of Utah MEP Center has been a lifeline for us. Utilizing some of the cost saving features that they offer has made a significant difference in moving forward or not. I believe it’s not just the MEP program that has helped us, but their people who implement and develop relationships with small businesses, which is key. The University of Utah MEP Center was instrumental in our success, and their support has enabled us to grow. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them in 2018.” —Ali & Sara Yazdian

 

Five steps to being a “smarter” manufacturer

By Tab Wilkins

There’s no question the digital manufacturing revolution is racing at us. As a small or medium-sized manufacturer, how close are you to already being “smart”? Here are five steps in the journey to becoming a smarter digital enterprise.

First and foremost, be cybersecure. Cybersecurity is an underlying tenant of being a smart and trusted business partner. The more you rely on a digital platform for manufacturing, the more secure you’ll want to be for customers, suppliers and investors. The NIST MEP website has several cybersecurity resources for manufacturers to help on this quest.

Second, understand smart manufacturing. Two formal definitions come from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition(link is external). Essentially, it is the idea of integrating all your technology together for monitoring, management and improvement. An excellent blog post by Steven Brand of the California Manufacturing Technology Consultants (CMTC), the California MEP, goes into this in some detail as it relates to small and medium-sized manufacturers(link is external) and even offers a downloadable version of CMTC’s Guide to Smart Manufacturing.

Third, realize there’s likely to be “flow down” through any supply chain. Most large manufacturers and retailers, both in the U.S. and around the world, are investing in smart technologies, according to a recent report by the Capgemini Group and its subsidiary Sogeti, entitled Smart Factories: How can manufacturers realize the potential of the digital industrial revolution?(link is external)They found 76 percent of larger manufacturers have a smart manufacturing initiative, while 56 percent have invested $100 million or more in the last five years. As larger companies invest and deploy, smart manufacturing is likely to permeate the supply chain, like the way just-in-time, lean, and ISO 9000 requirements became a stated or de facto requirement.

Fourth, research the current state around you. For example, the Georgia MEP, GAMEP, co-sponsors a study every two to three years about Georgia manufacturers. Smart Manufacturing: The 2016 Georgia Manufacturing Survey shows that 49 percent of Georgia manufacturers electronically collect and analyze data for improvement. Pages 10 and 11 of the report illustrate specific technologies and rates of adoption, such as RFID for inventory and warehouse tracking, or software for scheduling, inventory control or purchasing (e.g. ERP). Which of the 20 technologies listed in the report have your competitors already adopted? 

Fifth, take an inventory and benchmark your smart status. Are you using computer-aided design technology and is it integrated with your computer numerical control equipment? Are you using a manufacturing resource planning or enterprise resource planning software system? Is your preventive maintenance kept electronically and are sensors used in your manufacturing processes? Some of these represent the basic building blocks of being smart and mean your company might be close. The next step is connecting and integrating these elements for data access and monitoring. Look on page 10 of the Capgemini Smart Factories report identified earlier and see if you are a Digital Master, Fashionista, Conservative or Beginner in smart manufacturing.

If after understanding smart and benchmarking your company you’d like further help, please contact the Utah MEP Center. They have additional assessments, tools, advice and counsel on how to invest wisely in this impending wave of Technology 4.0.

Article originally appeared here

Tab Wilkins is Regional Manager for Strategic Transition and Senior Technology Advisor at NIST MEP, primarily supporting Centers in the western US. Prior to joining NIST, Tab helped establish and run two MEP centers and has a varied background in non-profit management, leadership development and technology-based Economic Development.

Exporting…so why bother?

By Nigel Moore, President & CEO, Total Wellness Strategies, LLC

So much chatter online, differences of opinions, BREXIT votes and TPP posturing, no wonder companies are confused today as to why they should even think about exporting.

For average companies today, in particular a manufacturing company to stay in the game and remain a true world resource, they need to continue to innovate, developing new products and services for a captive expanded global marketplace.  We say 95% of the world’s population lives outside the U.S., in fact statistics show with global population growth, it’s now more like 96%.  So why market to only 4-5% of the worlds population in the U.S. when the commercial size of the world has doubled in just 30 years, with the cost of doing business overseas dropping dramatically.  Yes the dollar is high right now against most European currencies, but it will not be high forever, now is the time to lay the groundwork and foundation for exporting and becoming a global company.

Typically more than 60% of manufacturers are reactive instead of proactive, they face the problem of commoditized products, lack of new product ideas and or a solid marketing strategy.  Exporting opportunities could help companies develop an innovation pipeline of new products, a home for outdated or commoditized products and diversification of supply chain with global expansion. We should also not lose sight of the fact 70% of the manufacturers nationally have 10 or fewer employees.  There is a big opportunity to expand market penetration and develop a new customer base for these smaller companies and turn them into bigger thriving successful enterprises.

“The World Is Flat” the title of the famous book from 2005 clearly states no longer are U.S. manufacturers competing with competitors in the same or next town, but now compete across the globe in places like China, India and Europe, and in particular Germany.  Events like the attacks of 9/11, the Iraq war and the convergence of technology and events that allowed India, China and so many other countries to become part of the global supply chain for services and manufacturing has created an explosion of wealth in the middle classes of the world’s nations giving them a new stake in the success of globalization. 

I’ve spent several years visiting more than 250 manufacturing companies across 20+ states coaching them on the merits of moving their business to the next level via exporting.  Now I’m not talking about twisting arms and convincing them they should drop their domestic business and replace it with exporting, but about being proactive instead of reactive in expanding outside the four walls of the U.S.  Many companies I meet are reactive or what I like to call “accidental” exporters, they don’t know what they don’t know.  They are reactive to inquiries from overseas buyers, complete one or two transactions and don’t know how to capitalize on this newfound opportunity or make costly mistakes and drop the opportunity.

I’ve been very fortunate having spent the last 5 years working with a program called ExporTech (a joint venture of NIST MEP & the U.S. Commercial Service).  ExporTech is not a training program, but an intensive structured execution program that develops a strategic growth export plan for a company.  Almost 900 companies have participated in the program from its inception with the average increase in sales per graduating company of $500,000 to $700,000.

There are a lot of naysayers out there that say exporting is only for big companies, I’ve worked with 2 person companies that were amazed as to how much help there is available to support U.S. companies who want to become proactive in their global business and how it has increased their business in some cases 10 fold.

If you’re interested in more information, call the MEP Center at 801.587.0713 or contact them here.

Resources:

www.export.gov

www.trade.gov

www.exim.gov

State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP)

Nigel is a seasoned executive with a 30+year portfolio of success, proactively driving change in the manufacturing and service sectors designed to systematically create or expand a company’s domestic and international business. Nigel has over 25 years of management consulting experience in new business development and International sales, operations, and general management. Nigel currently works with the National Institute of Standards and Technology-Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (NIST MEP) working to improve sales performance and operations within its 60 centers nationally and specifically is part of the National ExporTechTM Team as an Export Consultant expanding the ExporTechTM brand, working with 20+ states and more than 250 manufacturers nationwide in their quest to expand global business.

 

Seven tips for working with millennials

By Tooling U-SME

  1. Don’t generalize. Like all generations from Boomers to the newest Generation K11 (as in The Hunger Game’s Katniss Everdeen), this broad swathe of workers is made up of individuals with different life experiences that color their approach to work and careers.
  2. Communicate your corporate mission. Millennials expect companies to demonstrate a strong sense of purpose and want to be part of that. Be sure to communicate your mission and show how each individual job ties to it. Allow them to see how their talents and skills fit into the big picture.
  3. Show them their future. Millennials want to see their (near) future. Provide room for growth within your company so they do not feel they need to grow somewhere else. Ask about their career aspirations. Institute clear steps that young employees can take to develop skills they might need for future positions within your organization. Ensure there are clear milestones along the way with rewards in the not-too-distant future. Provide recognition with each success.
  4. Provide continual learning opportunities. Millennials have a strong desire to learn and acknowledge they have things to learn. For instance, despite their confidence in the workplace, millennials feel they were stronger on “softer” (i.e. hard work, discipline, teamwork) rather than “technical” skills at graduation. Help them gain that missing knowledge, especially by appealing to their desire for the experiential. Host a lunch session exclusively between management and millennials to encourage conversation. Pair millennial employees with your own organizational mentors or those outside the company. All of this should fit into a formal continuing education program.
  5. Go digital. This generation grew up with technology. Move away from paper. Much hiring and training can now be done digitally through tablets and smartphones. For instance, online courses allow workers the flexibility to complete training at any time of day or night. Different learning styles are easily accommodated through the use of video or ability to have text read to the student. Online training offers the added benefit of providing instant feedback – automated grading and tracking, saving considerable administrative time for employers. Allow millennials to share their technical talents with older workers, which can create new peer connections.
  6. Allow them to share their ideas. Only 28 percent of millennials feel that their current organization is making full use of their skills so provide them the opportunity to show what they can do. Arrange dynamic brainstorming sessions allowing all employees to contribute ideas. Their fresh perspective can complement that of more senior employees. These sessions also help them see the big picture so they know where they, and the organization, are headed. From there, assign them meaningful missions. You – and they – may be surprised at what they can accomplish.
  7. Provide regular and immediate feedback. Millennials grew up with constant feedback from their parents, teachers and coaches. They expect it from you, their leader. It doesn’t have to be a long session. Just five minutes of clear, direct feedback, on a regular basis, will keep them motivated and engaged. Consider quarterly merit increases versus one annual raise to demonstrate career movement in response to feedback.

Look for a our webinar on leveraging, engaging, and retaining millennials in the workplace February 28, 2018!

Download the White Paper on Millennials

Trying to secure a government contract? Think cybersecurity

By the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce

As a digital society, we unavoidably operate in a connected checkerboard of shared vulnerabilities. Inadequate security, or perhaps negligence on behalf of one party, can open a door into the entire network. In Fiscal Year 2017 the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), took action to mitigate the potential risk various DoD contractors were responsible for within the network. Through an assortment of cybersecurity-focused provisions the government began arrange for stricter requirements for winning contracts. On December 20, 2016, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published Revision 1 to Special Publication (SP) 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. Compliance with cybersecurity requirements have now become critical input when deciding whether to award a contract that requires the processing, storing, or transmitting of controlled information on a contractor information system.

If you are a manufacturer looking to secure a government contract, the Salt Lake Chamber highly encourages you to reach out to the University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center for consultation, resources, guidance, and education to enhance your cybersecurity readiness. Watch helpful presentations or perhaps devote some time to reviewing the GAP assessment available on the MEP Center’s website. However you go about improving your company’s information security protocol, know that there are resources available to support you and that your efforts will lead to a stronger, more competitive business model.

Contact us to get started on your cybersecurity business plan

Check out the cybersecurity resources from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce