Wisconsin manufacturers report that assistance they received from the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) last year produced an economic benefit of $137 million, much of it in sales growth.
"The impact we're reporting demonstrates that we can compete and win in the global marketplace -- as long as we understand the old rules of success no longer apply. Innovation and transformation are the new currencies of the global economy," said Michael Klonsinski, executive director of WMEP, a non-profit consulting organization that helps small and mid-size manufacturers grow and succeed.
WMEP-assisted companies reported improvements valued at $137 million, including:
- $75.7 million in increased/retained sales
- $16.7 million in cost savings
- $44.8 million in investment, including new plant and equipment
- 855 created/retained jobs
In addition, state tax revenues are projected to increase $6.2 million as a result of higher sales and job creation. More than half of this year's impact came from higher/retained sales reported by surveyed firms.
During the past five years, WMEP-assisted manufacturers reported impact of $839 million with more than 8,000 jobs created/retained.
Manufacturing is a $47.2 billion industry in Wisconsin, employing more than 500,000. During 2006, manufacturing's contribution to Wisconsin's economy grew $2.2 billion, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.
WMEP provided services to 435 state manufacturers last year. Among them:
- Franksville-based Cornerstone Design Ltd. says WMEP played a key role in helping the company sustain its lean culture, improve performance and ramp up sales. Cornerstone designs and installs turn-key automation equipment and lean manufacturing systems that improve efficiency and safety.
- Waupaca-based Centerline Machine Inc., a custom machining and fabrication company that specializes in just-in-time manufacturing, credits WMEP for helping it overcome significant business challenges at a time when the firm was struggling to survive. WMEP helped Centerline overhaul its operations and implement measures to improve its workforce, efficiency, quality and service.
- Milwaukee-based E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Co., Tubular Products Division, an engineered component supplier to the automotive industry, turned to WMEP to implement ISO/TS16949, an internationally-recognized quality management system for the automotive industry.
