Manufacturing Extension Partnership

North Dakota manufacturers have a direct line to a network that's helped thousands of companies grow sales, cut costs, adopt new technology and create jobs.

North Dakota manufacturers keep the state's economy running, but most small and medium-sized manufacturers lack the internal resources to keep up with today's competitive pressures. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) helps fill that gap. MEP delivers practical help, through assessments, training, process improvement, technology adoption and workforce development. Acting as a trusted extension agent for manufacturers, MEP helps businesses compete globally while growing jobs and strengthening communities across North Dakota.

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Why Local Delivery Matters

North Dakota has 863 manufacturers employing 27,000-33,600 people. Manufacturing contributes approximately 7.3 percent of the state's GDP. Local centers deliver targeted services that produce measurable economic results for manufacturers and their communities.

What We Offer

Lean Manufacturing

We conduct on-site assessments that map current operations, identify bottlenecks and pinpoint where time, material and labor slip away. From there, we develop plant-flow optimization plans that reorganize layouts, sequencing and material handling to move product through the floor with fewer delays. Continuous improvement training brings it all together with an educational program that teaches you how to make ongoing, small changes to boost efficiency and solve problems. Manufacturers gain Lean and Six Sigma instruction for their own workforce, paired with hands-on project support that puts those methods to work on real production challenges. This reduces waste and delivers long-term efficiency gains.

Process and Quality Management

Our team helps companies build and strengthen quality management systems from the ground up. ISO gap assessments show manufacturers exactly where their current practices fall short of certification standards, and internal auditor training equips staff to catch and correct issues before an external audit does. We can guide companies through registration and documentation support, easing the administrative burden that often accompanies certification. For manufacturers ready to move beyond basic troubleshooting, inferential statistics and Design of Experiments (DOE) training bring a more rigorous, data-driven approach to problem-solving and process improvement. Food safety training, including HACCP and FSMA compliance, rounds out the offering, helping manufacturers protect both their products and their customers.

Workforce Development

Leadership training and performance management instruction give new supervisors and managers the practical skills to set expectations, deliver effective feedback and guide their teams with confidence. We provide custom training systems, giving companies a repeatable framework for developing talent at every level. Our Intro to Sales programs build foundational selling skills while reinforcing the culture, capability and retention that keep employees engaged and invested in the company's success.

Cybersecurity and AI Support

We help companies navigate the complex requirements of defense and federal contracting. Assessments and technical assistance guide manufacturers through compliance with standards such as NIST SP 800-171, the cybersecurity framework required of many defense suppliers, reducing the risk of lost contracts or failed audits. We can help your company put artificial intelligence to practical use, identifying real-world applications for both office operations and the plant floor that boost efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity.

Strategy and Technology

Modernization road maps give manufacturers a clear, step-by-step strategy for upgrading equipment, systems and processes without disrupting daily operations. We support Industry 4.0 and automation integration, helping companies connect machines, data and software to boost visibility and efficiency on the floor. Supply-chain optimization strengthens sourcing and logistics, while strategic and tactical planning sessions align long-term goals with day-to-day execution. For manufacturers looking to build technical skills in-house, Intro to PLC (Allen-Bradley) workshops teach the fundamentals of programmable logic controllers used throughout modern manufacturing. Plant and work-cell design services round out the offering, helping companies reconfigure their physical space for smoother workflow and better use of resources.

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