WMEP Assistance Fuels Job Creation

WMEP Assistance Fuels Job Creation, Business Growth and Savings for State Manufacturers

Manufacturing Clients Report nearly $156 Million in Economic Impact, 829 Jobs created and retained

MADISON, Wis. – Services provided by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) triggered a nearly $156 million economic impact and helped to create and save 829 manufacturing jobs, according to results documented by clients.

WMEP, a private, non-profit consulting organization, provides a wide range of services to help small and midsize manufacturers accelerate growth, profitability and global competitiveness.  

Results reported by 178 manufacturers during FY 2012 include:

• $115 million in increased and retained sales
• $13 million in cost savings
• $28 million in investment impact, including new plant and equipment 
• 322 jobs created and 507 jobs retained

“The financial gains we’ve helped manufacturers achieve continue to be impressive, and we appreciate  the opportunity to partner with them to improve their businesses,” said Buckley Brinkman, WMEP’s executive director and chief executive officer. “Of particular importance is the creation/retention of more than 800 manufacturing jobs at a time when job creation continues to be a pressing issue facing our state and nation.”

Since 1998, WMEP has helped to generate nearly $2 billion in economic impact and create and save more than 14,000 state manufacturing jobs.

“I know of no other, non-governmental organization that can claim the impact on Wisconsin manufacturers in terms of jobs, cost savings, and revenue growth that WMEP has demonstrated,” said Mary Isbister, chair of WMEP’s board of directors and president of GenMet Corp., Mequon. “Documented results for the last five years have demonstrated a four to one return on investment for the manufactures that have employed WMEP’s services. Year after year, the results are more than impressive, they are indisputable.”  

The results documented by customers reflect successful projects completed under WMEP’s expanded offering of Next Generation Manufacturing services.  Those services are targeted to promote performance excellence in new product innovation, talent management, export development, sustainability, supply chain management and continuous improvement.  

The focus is on applying lean strategies enterprise-wide and instilling them deeply in a company’s culture and employees, in contrast with smaller projects in the past that were more limited in scope. “We’ve moved toward longer, more strategic engagements that build a strong platform for long-term growth and success,” said Brinkman. 

The WMEP is a strategic partner of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and a leading member of the national MEP network.

The annual economic impact data is part of a national evaluation conducted by an independent firm for the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a national network of 56 centers that provide assistance to small and midsize manufacturers.  Manufacturers are surveyed six months after the completion of a project.

Wisconsin is home to 9,560 manufacturers, who contribute $50.1 billion – 19.6% – to Wisconsin’s economy and employs 443,324 workers.  “Manufacturing is still the engine that drives Wisconsin’s economy,” Brinkman said.  “The WMEP provides the tools and expertise that allow manufacturers to succeed in a fast-changing, fiercely competitive global economy.” 

ABOUT WMEP

WMEP is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers.  WMEP receives financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.  WMEP also partners with many public and private organizations to serve Wisconsin manufacturers.  For more information, visit www.wmep.org.

Contact:

Debra Oakes oakes@wmep.org  608.630.2605