January 2013 | Volume 7, Issue 4
NJMEP NEWS:
New Workshops, New Programs and New Events!
NJMEP has a lot of news to kick off 2013. We are rolling out a number of new workshops, introducing a new training package and are participating in PTAC, an event for Veteran Owned and Small Businesses that want to do business with the government. And, read what we were up to last quarter, we were busy. Click here to read the full stories!
CLIENT NEWS:
Cementex and Pacor Host State Legislator Troy Singleton
Assemblyman Troy Singleton likes to get to know his manufacturing constituents and see what they do first hand. During ManufactureNJ Week the Assemblyman visited Cementex USA. Steve Russo, president of Cementex hosted the visit. In addition to visiting Cementex Assemblyman Singleton visited Pacor, Inc.. Ron Latini and his team showed the Assemblyman around the facility, explained about the company’s products and Jennifer Luling, HR Director discussed challenges they face filling open positions. Assemblyman Singleton, who represents District 7, sits on the Budget, Commerce and Economic Development, and Education Committees so is able to apply what he learned to his legislative responsibilities.
Uhlmann Packaging Systems Assists Educators
Guy Cirello, Toolshop Manager for Uhlmann Packaging Systems recently spent time with students in the Manufacturing Technology program at Bergen Community College. The program, which was developed with input from several manufacturers in Bergen County – Triangle Manufacturing, Stryker Howmedica Osteonics, Marcal Paper Mills (now Soundview Paper,) and EVS Metal, invites manufacturers in to visit with the students and help them understand the job market. When asked about the experience Mr. Cirello replied, “I was happy to see that Bergen Community College is partnering in the effort to bring manufacturing jobs back to NJ. I was impressed with the way they introduced the program and was proud to be a part of it.” Mr. Cirello also participated in the NJIT CNC training program over the summer.
MADE IN NEW JERSEY NEWS:
NJMEP Welcomes Companies to Made in New Jersey
Home Heart Beats, ProTapes & Specialties, Inc., Sigma Design Company and Century Service Affiliates/My Carry Cases,recently joined the Made in New Jersey web page, which is part of NJMEP’s campaign to promote New Jersey Manufacturers. In addition to the web page NJMEP promotes the companies on its social media sites, at conferences and events. To view the companies that participate in Made in New Jersey or to participate in the campaign visit NJMEP.org
Unionwear Provides “Jersey Power in DC” Shirt
When Nancy Blades Fatemi, The Executive Director of the New Jersey State Society needed attire for her softball team she turned to Mitch Cahn of Newark’s Unionwear. The team was playing in the State Society’s tournament. Ms. Fatemi’s thank you note to Mitch reported, “The shirts were of the highest quality, all the sizing was correct and everyone was pleased. Our team, which was made of Republican and Democratic staffers of NJ Congressional offices on Capitol Hill, and other young New Jerseyans who work or study in DC, has gotten some recognition for making it to the semi-finals of the “World Series” of the state societies…. We also made a big point in our publicity that the shirts were union made in the US and ordered through a NJ company.”
Thank you Mitch, for helping to get the word out on New Jersey.
SIGMA featured on Food Network’s Invention Hunters
Sigma Design Company, in collaboration with Gordon Perry Design, were invited to design and create an improved working prototype for the “Pure Sure,” a valve for carton beverages, which allows children to pour a drink themselves without making a mess. To read more about Sigma and the Food Network’s Invention Hunters visit Sigma’s blog. To learn more about Sigma Design Company and its Food Engineering Capabilities check out its new food industry webpage.
Medical Researchers Turn to Glenbrook Technologies
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center and Researchers from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York turned to Glenbrook Technologies for assistance with their research. Glenbrook’s award-winning imaging technology can see more detail, with greater clarity, then any existing fluoroscopic x-ray technology. To learn more about them visit www.glenbrooktech.com.
ARTICLES AND FEATURES:
Three Degrees of Separation = Success for Buy America Program
NJMEP has been working to connect New Jersey manufacturers with business opportunities through the Buy America and Buy American programs. Thanks to Scott Mele, president of Tektite, and NJMEP, the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has the domestic supplier they need.
Through the NIST MEP Supplier Scouting Program manufacturers can learn about the purchasing needs of the Federal government, which requires American made goods for federally funded public projects. Often projects are unable to find domestically made products-Enter the NIST MEP Supplier Scouting Program. Read More.
Manufacturing Just Doesn’t Seem Cool
Generation Z and the Future of Manufacturing
Creating a sustainable manufacturing workforce is crucial if anyone expects manufacturing to remain viable in the U.S. Although ”Cool” might not be at the top of most folks list as to how to promote manufacturing as a career it probably should be right up there. For the most part, the next generation of workers doesn’t have manufacturing on their radar.
That’s changing. Making manufacturing ”Cool” is becoming hip…it’s on the radar of folks that can make a difference. Read More.
Communicating During Disasters and Unexpected Occurrences
By Sharlene Vichness, Language Directions, LLC
Super Storm Sandy is now history. We move on, as after most disasters, to an analysis of how we might avoid the repetition of problems and miscommunications. After 9/11 and the destruction of the World Trade Center, a universal awareness was created regarding backups and storage of essential data in an off-site, secure location. Sandy and other similar weather or emergency events can cause us to look at our systems and processes for communicating with our employees. Read More.
Meet the Newbies
2012 Additions to Made in New Jersey
Made in New Jersey expanded in 2012 yet there is still plenty of room for additional companies to participate. Since its launch we’ve added featuring Made in New Jersey companies on our social media sites – Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We’ve introduced feature articles on the companies to our newsletter as well as creating a Made in New Jersey News column. Participating companies receive special emails on opportunities to participate in events to increase their visibility. As a result of these emails many companies were able to participate in the Make it in America exhibit at Manufacturing Innovation 2012, the annual NIST MEP conference, as well as at NIST headquarters for Manufacturing Day. Made in New Jersey companies have also been included on the NIST MEP Make it in America page. Read More.
How Music & Six Sigma Changed Workforce Development
The new NJDOL grant opportunities have been announced and, for those of you who have taken a look, many changes have been made. The driving force behind them is Mary Ellen Clark, Assistant Commissioner, Workforce Development.
Many of us have perceptions about government employees and the programs they run. After speaking with Mary Ellen, it’s safe to say…. to quote Mr. Dylan, times they are a changing. Read More.
SUCCESS STORIES:
- Lattimer – “Workforce Training Improves ROI on Capital Investments”
- Airborne Systems – “Manufacturer Jumps in to Reduce Waste and Lands New Business While Reducing Costs”
Click here for the most recent edition of Manufacturing Matters!