Salt Lake City—The University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center is pleased to announce the opening of satellite offices and hubs in four key regions of Utah. The MEP Center provides services and consulting to Utah manufacturers to support increased sales, cost savings, investment and job growth.
In order to expand their reach to manufacturers in all areas of the state, the MEP Center is partnering with Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Bridgerland Technical College in Logan, Mountainland Technical College in Lehi, and Utah State University in Vernal. These partners will also promote the MEP Center’s mission and ensure their regional manufacturers connect to the resources and services the MEP Center offers.
Working side by side with Utah manufacturers, the University of Utah MEP Center provides direct support by assessing and identifying company needs and provides recommendations to help manufacturers become more globally competitive. The MEP Center is a fee for service entity but offsets client costs by applying federal and state matching dollars. By utilizing the MEP Center, manufacturing companies receive high-quality work at a cost many would not be able to otherwise afford.
“We are delighted to partner with such strong educational institutions. We look forward to working with them to strengthen the current and next generation of workforce and enhance the global competitiveness of Utah manufacturers,” said Theresa Drulard, MEP Center director.
President of Bridgerland Technical College Chad Campbell, notes that both employers and students benefit when education partners work together with business and industry to ensure the workforce is supplied with skilled workers needed to excel in the global economy. He also mentions that northern Utah has more manufacturing jobs per capita than any other region and that partnering with the MEP Center will help these companies gain a competitive edge.
“We look forward to working together to assess employer needs, plug educational gaps in the workforce, and build the pool of available employees starting at the high school level. Through collaboration with industry, we will educate the workforce that Utah County manufacturers need to attain their growth potential” said Holly Petersen, vice president of instruction at Mountainland Technical College.
“This new partnership with the University of Utah MEP Center will be extremely beneficial for our regional campus and our local economy. The staff at the MEP Center have a real commitment to help businesses all across the state, not just in the Wasatch Front,” said Seth Lyman, Director of the Utah State University Bingham Research Center and a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“Members of the Department of Engineering and Technology at Southern Utah University are excited to work with the MEP Center. We are committed to working together in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of manufacturing.” said Scott Hansen, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology at Southern Utah University.