Gallatin Valley Manufacturing Partnership Recognizes Achievements, Plans for the Future
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On July 25th, approximately 40 manufacturers and partners from around the Gallatin Valley convened for the third annual manufacturing growth workshop. To kick off the event, the Greater Gallatin Valley Manufacturing Partnership (GGVMP) presented awards to Lorrie Fisher of Mesa Labs and Dan Eslinger of Manufacturing Solutions LLC for their servant leadership of the Automation / Technology and Lean Alliance teams. Scott Ogeka from West Paw was also recognized for his leadership in starting and growing the GGVMP. Next, everyone got to work using the Strategic DoingTM method to link and leverage assets among small groups focused on specific challenges and opportunities. Using a framing question, each group identified what they could and should do together, and committed to small, short-term projects which they will accomplish over the next three to six months. Learn more about the GGVMP.
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TowHaul Showcases U.S. Manufacturing
in New Commercial
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TowHaul, a manufacturer of custom heavy duty off-road trailers in Bozeman, has produced a commercial highlighting the importance of technical and vocational education for the future of U.S. manufacturing. It is currently airing on PBS, in conjunction with “Reconnecting Roots,” a series produced by TowHaul founder Frank Smith, and is being distributed to state and national manufacturing organizations. You can view the commercial on YouTube.
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Gallatin County Manufacturers:
HRDC Wants Your Input!
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HRDC of Gallatin County offers Bridges to Career Opportunities classes, which provide skills and training for in-demand local jobs. HRDC is currently conducting a manufacturers’ survey to collect information that will enhance this program, such as the skills and traits you find valuable. Submit your input through this survey link.
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MMEC Welcomes Jeff Pierce
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Northwestern Montana manufacturers, we are pleased to introduce your new MMEC Business Advisor, Jeff Pierce. He has more than twenty years of experience implementing process improvements in production and maintenance, working across the Pacific Northwest in industries ranging from semiconductors to frozen foods to medical equipment. As an MBA graduate and certified Project Management Professional, he has solid training in planning, fiscal, and management techniques, combined with extensive hands-on knowledge from the production floor. He thrives on finding creative solutions to increase production, decrease downtime, resolve conflict, improve morale and develop employees.
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Western Cider Bottles Up Success
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The Western Cider story began in 2012 when co-founder Michael Billingsley established an orchard in Stevensville, Montana. The orchard grew to 5000 trees and 50 varieties of apples, leading to the establishment of the Western Cider Company in Missoula in 2017. The company prides itself on being one of the few cideries in the northwest that grows heirloom, cider apples. It also produces a constantly rotating selection of traditional and more unique varieties of hard cider (Whiskey Peach, anyone?). The 7000 square foot production facility in Missoula – a former tannery – includes a popular tasting room and riverside garden where the ciders are served on tap. Canned, bottled and kegged versions of the cider are now available at grocery stores, gourmet markets, bars, and restaurants throughout Montana.
In 2018, the demand for Western Cider products was growing, but efforts to increase production were hampered by long and labor -intensive canning and bottling processes. MMEC Business Advisor Shane Cantrell worked with Western Cider and members of the Western Montana Manufacturing Partnership to recommend solutions for implementing in - line pasteurization for the canning & bottling process and improving automation throughout the bottling operation. Read the full success story to learn more about the improvements they implemented and how much it shortened the bottling process.
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Great opportunity for Montana manufacturers interested in new additive technologies
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Rethinking Manufacturing. The America Makes institute is working with communities like Youngstown, Ohio to rebuild manufacturing opportunities.
4 Types of Robots Every Manufacturer Should Know. Learn the basics about four types of robots that can help small manufacturers improve operations.
How to Identify Your Company's Cybersecurity Risks. Learn the five steps that NIST has developed to help you take charge of your cybersecurity. (This is the first installment of a five-part series for manufacturers in Industry Week.)
Keeping up with DFARS Compliance. If you provide products or services to defense companies, this article answers common questions about how to comply with DFARS requirements.
Custom Project Enhances Quality, Sharpens Competitive Edge. A Nevada telemetry company pursued ISO 9001 recertification to maintain its competitive edge.
Machine Shop Webinars: The Georgia MEP offers an ongoing series of free webinars focused on improving and promoting machine shops.
Make the most of your Manufacturing Day Event Those interviewed for this story indicated that they usually begin planning in the summer for the early October event. While an open house effort like this is part of a nationwide event, manufacturers should realize that participation in Manufacturing Day is likely to help them as much as spreading the gospel about the positives associated with modern manufacturing.
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Project Coordinator
Cable & System Assembler
CNC Machinist
CNC Press Brake Operator
Clinical Faculty Food Safety Specialist (Idaho)
Outside Technical Sales Engineer
Production Manager
Quality Assurance Inspector
Senior Chemical Engineer
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Materials Engineer
Industrial Engineer or I.E. Grad Student
Steel welders, Welding Foreman, Welding Instructor
See our website for more positions and application details, or to submit a job posting |
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A Special Thank You to our Partners
 
and event sponsors
  
  
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Join MMEC at these events
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Montana Food Show
September 27, 2019
MSU's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman
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2019 Innovate Montana Symposium
OCT. 14-16, 2019
Copper King Convention Center, Butte
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Manufacturing clients of MMEC receive the Chamber member discount!
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Create a Winning Proposal for Winning a Government Contract. Billings, August 21
Export 101; Small Business Development Center, Wolf Point, August 21
How to Do Business with the State of Montana, Missoula, Aug 28 and Great Falls, Sept 12
Project Management - the Art and Science. MSU Bozeman, Sept 17 (8 week class)
Management Toolkit: Discipline & Termination Missoula, Aug 20
How to take a Proactive Approach to Marketing your Machine Shop Webinar, Sep 10
MEDA Fall Conference Lewistown, Sep 11-13
ASQ Section 603 Seminar: Developing an outward Mindset Bozeman, Sep 26
How Culture Drives Sustainability and Workforce Engagement Twin Falls, ID Nov 12-13
Start Gearing up for Manufacturing Day!!! Host your event anytime from now until the end of the year!
Recurring Events:
Leadership Series: Leadership Beyond the Nuts and Bolts Missoula Chamber
Ongoing Events SafetyFest MT
Webinar Recordings Machine Shop Common Issues
Recorded Webinar Financial Planning and Analysis Optimization: The Keys to Moving Past Results Toward Tomorrow's Opportunities (WIPFLi)
Recorded Webinar Small Business Webinar Series
Register for the next webinar Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers (Cytellix)
Recorded Webinar CyberSecure My Business
Upcoming events Associated Employers
Upcoming events Montana Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming events Montana High Tech Business Alliance
News and events Montana Associated Technology Roundtables
Export Training, News, and Events Montana World Trade Center
Upcoming Trade Missions, webinars, and events U.S. International Trade Administration
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Manufacturers
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