The Competitive Edge

A monthly newsletter from
The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership		February 2011
In This Issue
PSI Helps QPI Grow
Profitable Sustainability Update at Manufacturing Matters! 2011
Sustainability Grants for Milwaukee Manufacturers
Suppliers Slash Lead Times with Accelerate
Manufacturing Matters! Highlights Winning Talent Management Strategies

Profitable Sustainability Initiative Helps QPI Grow Sales and Jobs


Quality Packaging Incorporated is participating in the Profitable Sustainability Pilot Program  

In April 2010, the State of Wisconsin invested $1.75 million through the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) to help small and mid-sized manufacturers use sustainable practices to save money and gain a competitive edge.  QPI immediately applied for the program and was one of the 50 Wisconsin manufacturers selected for participation in the Profitable Sustainability Initiative (PSI).  

 Read more  

Articles of Interest

Manufacturing to Outpace Overall Economic Growth in 2011, 2012 Industry Group Says 
WI Manufacturers
in the News

 

Spee-Dee extends market reach into Europe 

   

 Stoughton Trailers 'rebuilds' management, will add up to 500 jobs by year's end  


Johnson Creek e-cigarette ingredient manufacturer moving to larger space 

Quick Links
Greetings!
Factory activity in the Midwest hit a 22 1/2 year high in January. The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said its barometer of Midwestern business rose from 66.8 in December to 68.8 in January, the highest since July 1988. 

Chicago purchasing managers surveyed reported that the the jump was due to a surge in orders - up to the highest level in 27 years.
  • PRICES PAID indicated increased inflation, increasing to the highest level since July 2008;
  • EMPLOYMENT strengthened to a height not seen since May 1984;
  • NEW ORDERS increased to the highest point since December 1983;
  • PRODUCTION improved with NEW ORDERS to the strongest level since 2004.
This report underscores the fact that manufacturing continues to lead the economic recovery.
Profitable Sustainability Update at Manufacturing Matters! Conference
The Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative pilot program was launched at last year's conference.   

Two afternoon special sessions at the Manufacturing Matters! Conference will provide an update on the Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative, including a report from leaders of participating companies who developed cost-saving projects in the areas of:
  • Product & Process Optimization & Eco-Transportation
  • Energy & Environment 

 Click here to read an article from the February issue of Insight On Manufacturing about the results some companies have already achieved through the Profitable Sustainability Initiative.    

Sustainability Grants for Milwaukee Manufacturers
The program is based on WMEP's successful Profitable Sustainability Initiative model
   
Small and medium sized manufacturers in the city of Milwaukee are invited to take part in a new sustainability program to drive down waste in their manufacturing processes and cut costs.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and program partners Thursday signed a charter to create the ME3 program. It will provide technical assistance to small and medium-size manufacturers to become more sustainable by boosting energy efficiency, auditing and reducing water consumption, changing manufacturing and logistics practices as well as other changes.

Read more of Thomas Content's blog in JSOnline, including dates of informational sessions.
Suppliers Slash Lead Times, Rev Up Performance with Accelerate

Blog by Paul Ericksen, Program Manager, MEP Supply Chain Advantage  

A decade of experience with more than 400 suppliers and over two dozen OEMs across a wide spectrum of industries shows that initial Accelerate projects can cut "true" lead times in half while at the same time slashing waste.

Read blog on wmep.org

Manufacturing Matters! Highlights Winning Talent Management Strategies

 

"The Power of People: Unleashing Breakthrough Business Performance" is the theme of the May 17 conference hosted by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP).  The day-long event will be held at the Frontier Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee.  Manufacturing Matters! is WMEP's signature event to promote performance excellence for the state's nearly 10,000 small and midsize manufacturers.  For more information or to register visit www.manufacturingmatters.org or call 1-877-856-8588.