Delivering Solutions for Creating Wealth

Manufacturing-Works receives national recognition for work in Wyoming

Added May 4th 2009

Manufacturing-Works™ employees achieved national recognition for their commitment to helping Wyoming companies grow at this year’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Manufacturing-Works Center Director Larry Stewart swept up the MEP Champion of the Year award while Center Manager Nancy Fallas received the Unsung Hero award. There were 18 other nominees for each of the two categories from a pool of approximately 1,800 possible people who could have been nominated.

Manufacturing-Works™ is one of 59 MEP centers in the nation and is a partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming. MEP centers provide manufacturers with an array of services that focus on growth, productivity, and efficiency. In the past year, Manufacturing-Works has had 488 contacts resulting in 138 unique clients.

In his letter of support for Stewart’s nomination, William Gern, vice president for research and development at the University of Wyoming, wrote, “With the challenges in today’s economy it is important to have people like Larry Stewart who believe in working with clients to develop innovative processes in order to stay competitive in today’s market.”

Business Council CEO Bob Jensen called Stewart a “true champion of manufacturing businesses in the state,” noting his years of helping provide superior customer service. “The Business Council values Larry greatly as an important partner in helping us accomplish our mission.”

The MEP Champion of the Year recognizes those who are outstanding advocates for the manufacturing extension mission and have demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to the business growth and transformation of the U.S.-based manufacturers through their continued support of the MEP system. Nominated by staff, clients and partner agencies, Stewart has demonstrated continued support of the manufacturing extension mission and has helped Wyoming small manufacturers expand. Under Stewart’s guidance, Manufacturing-Works has become a well respected program that continues to grow and exceed goals and expectations in helping manufacturing clients throughout the state. 

Stewart’s years of dedication to Wyoming manufacturing has benefitted many Wyoming businesses.  “If you put the customer first, always speak with optimism, and have consistency in your life, magic will always happen.  And quoting Dr. W. Edwards Deming, ‘A system is a NETWORK of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system. A system must have an aim. Without the aim, there is no system.’”

The Unsung Hero of the Year Award recognizes individuals from marketing, reporting, administrative, human resources and other support roles whose special efforts behind the scenes have allowed their centers to excel in the eyes of the customer. ”In the face of today’s economy, given the trials that manufacturers are experiencing, it is even more crucial that everything is transparent in our goals of delivering business solutions for creating wealth. I look forward to making that happen – making a difference – for which there is seldom recognition.  To be nominated for this award, and to receive it, validates my efforts,” Fallas said.

Manufacturing-Works™ is a partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming. Manufacturing-Works provides broad technical assistance, engineering solutions, general business assistance, marketing assistance, and financial counseling.

For almost two decades, MEP has focused on increasing the competitiveness of the United States industrial base by bridging the productivity gap for manufacturers, identifying opportunities for growth, and encouraging technology deployment.

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Larry Stewart receiving his award