(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) — The 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers that make up the MEP National Network work to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) within the United States. Although each MEP center operates independently and caters to the needs of its local manufacturing community, they share a common mission: assisting manufacturers, in various ways, to improve and succeed in today’s dynamic business environment.
2) Mapping and understanding supply chains and supplier capabilities, from OEMs to tier 1–4 suppliers.
• The CHIPS and Science Act
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The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) was a key stakeholder in developing an assessment of the impacts of electrification transition on Illinois’ automotive industry. The report includes a risk assessment for the state’s automotive supply base, and it includes opportunities, concerns, and recommendations for Illinois stakeholders.
The events of the past few years, most notably the business disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the cascading effects that followed, have highlighted the importance of domestic supply chains.
SCOIN goes beyond simply connecting organizations with domestic suppliers. The initiative will enable a more rigorous assessment and analysis of domestic manufacturing capabilities, allowing for a deeper understanding of the strengths, capacities, and potential areas of improvement within the U.S. supply base.
• A supply chain operations team—This is a community of more than 51 practitioners who will meet regularly to share best practices and what they’ve learned.
SCOIN calls for a more systematic and inclusive network approach that includes all 51 centers, as well as:
The centers also will be learning about the supply chains in strategic or emerging industries, such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, energy, and biomanufacturing—where these key industries are going, and the opportunities and challenges for SMMs in those industries. This information will better equip them to advise local manufacturers.
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• Map the capabilities and interconnections within manufacturing supply chains.
• Scale up and enhance the impact of supplier scouting services that help organizations source domestic products and expand their capabilities.
• The Inflation Reduction Act
With this initiative, each center is required to engage with large manufacturers to gain more understanding of their needs and expectations, from components to certifications and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. The frameworks of ESG are used to assess the effect of a company’s sustainable and ethical practices on its financial performance and operations.
• Enhance resilience and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities for manufacturers.
The structure of the SCOIN should result in a dramatic increase in the data collected and shared across the MEP National Network. Stakeholders expect there also will be significant learning opportunities about business-to-business relationships and partnerships (such as between tier 3 and 4 suppliers in a specific supply chain), an increase in supplier scouting, and a big opportunity to develop business around emerging industries that align with requirements for the Build America, Buy America initiative.
There is a new kind of energy behind the SCOIN Initiative
• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (with its Build America, Buy America requirements)
By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of each MEP center, SCOIN will facilitate the expansion of local manufacturing ecosystems. This means that the network will not only focus on individual suppliers but also consider the broader context of regional manufacturing clusters and their interdependencies.
• A national strategic team—These are leaders from various areas, such as center directors, the NIST MEP national program office, and the MEP Advisory Board. This group will focus on strategy and outcomes. The strategic team also will be seeking to build focus groups of companies in key industries for additional feedback and accountability.
1) Dedicated resources for staffing in supply chain management and/or supplier scouting to help companies identify domestic suppliers.
• Industry mapping is key for increasing engagement with large companies.
• The Advanced Manufacturing Job Sprint (Investing in America Workforce Initiatives)
The federal government has recognized the need to ease supply chain bottlenecks and ensure domestic production of products that are critical to national and economic security. This has led to investments that include direct funding and tax incentives for public and private manufacturing construction, such as:
Operations
What to Know About the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network
SCOIN expands MEP National Network for a more comprehensive approach
3) Identifying, engaging, and learning the needs of key OEMs.
Reach out to your local MEP center for help with supply chain issues or more information on the benefits SCOIN can provide to your manufacturing facility.