Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improves Image
A diverse array of products made in Central Oregon took the spotlight recently in a display of local innovation celebrating both the first annual National Manufacturing Day and the role of a government-sponsored support group dedicated to helping spur company competitiveness on a global scale.
Deschutes County Library was the setting for exhibiting local entrepreneurial enterprises covering everything from hand-crafted high performance paddles (Kiaola) to helicopter movers (Tiger Tugs) and motorcycle luggage makers (Giant Loop) to name just a few, who have also benefited from association with the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP).
Oregon has almost 3,500 manufacturing companies accounting for more than ten percent of all private-sector employment, despite the sector’s often less than glamorous reputation, and the Bend showcase was part of several OMEP events drawing attention to the thriving scene, in conjunction with the inaugural celebration of Manufacturing Day – a National Association of Manufactures’ (NAM) initiative designed to improve the public image of the industry and promote its importance across America.
OMEP is a not-for-profit team of manufacturing professionals whose stated mission is to help small to mid-sized Oregon manufacturers transform the way they do business and become more effective, and is part of the national MEP program administered by the Department of Commerce through the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The combination of payrolled advisors and private sector technical experts aims to help manufacturers achieve increased productivity, profitability and top line growth to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness.
OMEP Business Development Manager Larry Pederson sees the organization’s main role as providing companies with the training, tools and processes needed to participate more productively in today’s increasingly demanding global economy.
At the national level the network is also envisaged as acting as a catalyst for strengthening American manufacturing and accelerating its ongoing transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation driving economic growth and job creation.
As a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce, MEP offers its clients a wealth of unique and effective resources centered on five critical areas: technology acceleration, supplier development, sustainability, workforce and continuous improvement.
Pederson said, “We take a global perspective and bring it to a local level, and are very pleased to have client companies show the diversity of what is made in Central Oregon to illustrate the value added proposition.
“Nationally, MEP’s are aimed at small to medium sized manufacturing outfits that can benefit from leading edge business and technical advice regarding best processes and practices.
“Smaller businesses often don’t have the time to sit in a classroom, and can benefit from someone working with them on optimizing operations.
“In Oregon, OMEP has a number of operatives, including Central Oregon field representative Kleve Kee, working with client company management teams and ownership to help move toward a more successful business model and engage employees more productively. We also benefit from some state subsidy so that travel expenses are not charged to client companies, which allows us to be more accessible, especially to rural areas.
“The typical profile of a company we work with is 10-200 people and part of the program is that a third party verifier comes in and surveys our performance, so there is additional accountability for what we do.
“Initially, we will carry out an assessment of most pressing company needs on a general level for free, without any obligation. Afterwards, we sit down and relay what we have observed and then get feedback on whether the business owners would like to move forward toward our drawing up and implementing an action plan with them, as a tactical and strategic basis to help realize growth potential.”
Once engaged, OMEP’s customized approach focuses on specific obstacles to growth and identifies entry points ranging from creating improved flow on the production line, to areas such as speeding sales order processing, training the workforce on problem solving and developing a strategy to enter new markets.
OMEP consultants can provide Lean Enterprise training which utilizes proven manufacturing practices based on optimizing flow, and hands-on implementation assistance to a wide variety of industry sectors.
Pederson added, “We work with owners, executives, managers and operators to assess company needs in all areas and we can move quickly from assessment to implementation to ensure that the company’s efforts provide an immediate payback.
“Once we define a customized action plan for highest priority improvement areas, the strategies and solutions we recommend can have a rapid impact on results and boost company performance level.
“Management is successful when seriously engaged and receptive to becomeing involved or trying something new, and a learning atmosphere is the best operating environment to work in.
“If a company chooses to engage OMEP’s services, we can help with a quantifiable action plan and also assist in identifying other potential funding assistance sources to expedite logistics.”
One of OMEP’s local consultants, Dennis Hungerford of sales force development specialists Sandler Training, said, “OMEP has leveraged local relationships and strategic alliances to tap very capable and diverse areas of expertise that can assist companies in reaching growth goals.
“My specialist area may be sales, but other consultants, for example, are experts in communications. I have owned several businesses, and sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees and to move forward you need to work out relationships.
“OMEP can look at the big picture and develop a strategic action plan with consultants remaining involved through the implementation process.”
Fellow OMEP advisor Paul Svendsen of Axia Valuation LLC said that often business owners benefited from financial planning input, especially in forming a plan and taking strategic steps towards an eventual exit strategy Central Oregon is garnering an increasing reputation as a hotbed for innovation and home to dozens of small manufacturing companies, ranging in products from medical devices and solar power to dairy products, chocolate and beer.
CIES INC. PROPRIETARY FUEL
Among participants at the Central Oregon event was Scott Philben, President of CIES Inc. whose company has developed a highly accurate proprietary fuel level sensor that has just won Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a “certified common part” for the aerospace industry.
Philben said, “We have sold over 1,600 units, all made in Central Oregon, and have worked for a year to earn the TSO accreditation, which will certainly be a big boost to business.
“The instrument measures running fuel to a precise degree, which maximizes fuel management and operational efficiency, and we are developing products to cater to other fuel-related scenarios. We have also leveraged expertise from OMEP and embraced lean manufacturing principles.”
GIANT LOOP
MOTORCYLCE LUGGAGE
Harold O Cecil, owner of adventure motorcycle soft luggage innovator Giant Loop, added, “I participated in the Opportunity Knocks business development programs locally and through that process met with Kleve, who was a group moderator.
“He and OMEP helped bring the concepts of lean manufacturing into focus for us, which along with other innovations has helped us be more competitive and build towards a long-term sustainable business.”
Giant Loop sells through as network of dealers internationally and Cecil says sales are on an upswing, particularly in the U.S., adding that the company will introduce an updated and expanded 2013 Giant Loop product line at industry flagship event the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy in November, followed by the Dealer Expo show in Indianapolis in February next year.
Roger Lee, executive director of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) which partners with OMEP, said, “I am on the board of OMEP and know the value they bring in terms of helping with customized solutions for small manufacturing companies.
“It is great to see that we now have over 450 companies in Central Oregon in the traded sector (that sell products and services locally) including a vigorous and innovative manufacturing presence flowing dollars that support families, local businesses, and government services.
“It is also great to be able to tell people from outside the area that we have an increasingly diverse economic base and are no longer just dependent primarily on tourism and construction.”
For more information, contact OMEP Central Oregon field representative Kleve Kee via email kkee@omep.org or 541-350-7429 or www.omep.org.
