Small and medium-size manufacturers represent nearly 99 percent of manufacturing firms in the United States and form the 

essential fabric of the country’s manufacturing infrastructure. A 

strong manufacturing base means more well-paying jobs and an 

expanding middle class, a reduced trade deficit, and accelerated 

innovation to drive future growth. With a continual need to cut 

costs, improve quality, meet environmental and international 

standards, and get to market faster, smaller companies need access to technical expertise and training to help them overcome 

challenges and embrace opportunities to innovate and grow. 

What NIST Does

Through collaborations at the federal, state and local level, 

NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

puts manufacturers in a position to develop new products and 

customers, expand into global markets, adopt new technology, 

reshore production, and more. MEP partners with other organizations and participates in federal and state initiatives designed 

to advance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, expanding the program’s impact beyond individual firms to entire 

industry supply chains, manufacturing communities, and innovation ecosystems. 

Program Goals

• Enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. 

• Foster partnerships at the federal, state and local levels to 

leverage resources and opportunities for manufacturers.

• Serve as a voice to, and a voice for, manufacturers.

• Develop MEP capabilities as an organization focused on learning and sharing knowledge.

BY THE 

NUMBERS

12.3 million 

People are employed in U.S. 

manufacturing

(Bureau of Labor 

Statistics)

29,101

Manufacturers 

were helped by 

MEP centers in 

FY 2015 

1,250

Local MEP 

technical experts help solve 

manufacturers’ 

challenges

 2,600

Events were held across 

the U.S. to celebrate 

Manufacturing Day 2015

www.nist.gov

MEP PROGRAM AND NIST
Recent Program Highlights

• As a result of MEP services, manufacturers reported $8 billion in new and retained sales, $3.1 billion in 

new investments, $3.2 billion in cost savings, and over 68,000 jobs created or retained in fiscal year 2015.

• MEP has awarded approximately $57 million to 20 states as part of a multiyear competition for new 

center agreements designed to ensure federal funds are allocated to areas with higher concentrations of 

manufacturers.

• Manufacturing Day 2015 was celebrated with about 2,600 events nationwide. A survey by Deloitte 

showed the events had a positive impact on perceptions of manufacturing: 81 percent of student respondents said they were more convinced that manufacturing provides interesting, rewarding careers, and 90 

percent of participating educators said they were more likely to encourage students to pursue a career in 

manufacturing.

• MEP has engaged 76 clients in Supply Chain Optimization projects that have led to a reported $24.2 million in increased/retained sales, nearly $32 million in cost savings, and $2.2 million in new investments.

New for FY 2017

The request includes a total increase of $12 million for MEP to:

• Complete a competition to award new cooperative agreements for the nation’s MEP centers, to enhance 

local flexibility and accountability.

• Provide additional manufacturers with the tools and services needed to respond to rapid global changes 

that create opportunities for growth.

• Increase focus on serving very small, rural and start-up companies, as well as the maker community.

• Transfer results of the R&D activities at the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation institutes to 

smaller manufacturers and connect those manufacturers with business opportunities.

• Develop increased capabilities to assist all growth-oriented small manufacturers to respond to critical 

national needs and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

0

30

60

90

120

150

Dollars, in millions

FY 2017

Budget

FY 2015 FY 2016

130 130

142