VMEC Launches Next Generation Manufacturing Study

An important research study to assess the progress of state manufacturers in adopting strategies to win in the global economy was launched today by the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC). The study is the first step in a long-term effort to help state manufacturers weather today s recession, improve their manufacturing competitiveness, and grow and be more profitable over the next decade.
The web-based Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) Study questionnaire for Vermont manufacturers can be accessed at http://www.NGMStudy-NewEngland.com. Any manufacturing company owner, CEO, or senior level executive is eligible to participate. Participation in the 61-question survey is confidential and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participation can also be anonymous. The Deadline for participation is Sunday, March 15, 2009.
Study participants that identify themselves will receive a free, customized benchmarking report comparing their progress to the overall Vermont and national results as well as to other respondents of similar revenue and number of employees. The benchmarking report will be prepared by the internationally respected research, strategy, and benchmarking company, the MPI Group (www.mpi-group.org). The NGM study is part of a coordinated national effort led by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC).
The study asks manufacturers to rank their progress toward the world-class performance benchmarks of Next Generation Manufacturing, a forward-looking framework of strategies that are driving manufacturing growth and profitability in the 21st century. The six attributes of success for Next Generation Manufacturing are: Customer-focused Innovation; Advanced Talent Management; Systemic Continuous Improvement; Extended Enterprise Management; Sustainable Product and Process Development; and Global Engagement.
According to VMEC Director/CEO, Bob Zider, We are encouraging as many Vermont manufacturers to participate as possible. The study results will provide a wealth of valuable data for manufacturers, business leaders, and state and national policy makers. Participating manufacturers will be able to see how they rank against world-class performance benchmarks and target improvements where needed. It is our hope that policy makers will be able to strengthen and improve programs and services supporting manufacturers by knowing where the critical needs are. The study results will provide a scorecard that will tell us what we need to do to improve. It will also assist VMEC in its planning for the additional new products and services that we need to be offering Vermont manufacturers.
Manufacturing contributes about 11.5% of Vermont s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)- roughly $2.83 billion in 2007. By comparison, Government was first at 13.7% of GDP; and HealthCare was third at about 10%. Manufacturing employs about 35,000 Vermonters in high wage positions.
About VMEC
VMEC's primary mission since 1995 has been "To improve manufacturing in Vermont and strengthen the global competitiveness of the state's smaller manufacturers." This is done through confidential professional consulting, one-on-one coaching and public/onsite workshops to help Vermont's approximately 2,000 small and medium sized manufacturers increase their productivity, improve their manufacturing and business processes, reduce costs, identify and adopt new growth strategies, and improve their competitiveness.
Through the VMEC Process Strategies Group (PSG) business unit established in early 2006, VMEC is bringing its proven process and strategy expertise to a number of non-manufacturing sectors in Vermont, including healthcare, higher education, government, and financial services.
Visit www.vmec.org for more information.