Blog

Impact Dakota Blog is a blog dedicated to supporting North Dakota’s manufacturing community improve People, Purpose, Processes and Performance. Entries provide information on opportunities, new ideas, quick tips, celebrations of success, and well, frankly, anything to help you become a better manufacturer.

August 9, 2024

Building the Quantum Technology Supply Chain With MATTRWhat is quantum technology, and why the interest? Making these technologies more widely available could unlock the potential for new areas of large-scale R&D and ultimately new business applications.

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June 27, 2024

Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity – How to protect your investmentThe connectivity of Industry 4.0 brings manufacturers many benefits, but the cost of protecting critical systems and data cannot be an afterthought. This is why cybersecurity should be one of the first things to consider with any technology investment. Manufacturers secure their facilities from intruders, and they would be wise to do the same for their operational technology (OT), data, and connectivity.

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June 7, 2024

The MEP National Network’s Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network: Helping Manufacturers Bridge GapsWhen a foreign company wants to manufacture goods in the U.S., it needs new domestic suppliers for just about everything. When such an initiative involves new technology, it creates even more opportunities for a regional ecosystem and associated supply chains.

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April 18, 2024

NIST Explores AI-Enhanced Monitoring in Manufacturing ProcessesManufacturers across all industries are looking for technological solutions and enhancements to maintain their competitive advantage. The growing connectivity of devices, coupled with high demands of production and precision, mandate robust monitoring and control systems. As technologies develop, how can manufacturers determine the best products for their applications, and how do developers find the high-fidelity data needed to test and evaluate their products? The Industrial Artificial Intelligence Management and Metrology (IAIMM) team led by Dr. Michael Sharp at NIST has a mission to provide evaluation guides and metrics to give apples-to-apples comparisons and assessments of all levels of intelligent automation.

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April 3, 2024

If You Build It, They Will Come – Opening Day Musings From a Baseball FanBaseball’s Opening Day brings with it both nostalgia and excitement. Everyone is brimming with hope for what the season might hold. I’m amazed to now realize how much manufacturing contributes to the game I love. The more I learn about the manufacturing industry, the more I realize that it’s intricately woven into all aspects of our lives. The baseball analogy made me want to learn more about how manufacturing is intertwined with baseball.

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March 21, 2024

In Manufacturing, Hoarding Labor Is a Good Thing, ActuallyYour company needs not just to acquire talent but actively keep it. In an era where skilled labor is harder and harder to find, manufacturers must transform into “employers of choice” to retain their valuable human assets.

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March 1, 2024

How to Avoid 3 Common Missteps in Pursuing International SalesThe fact that about 85% of the global market is outside the U.S. should alone be a compelling enough reason for manufacturers to pursue international sales. Exporting allows manufacturers to diversify their customer base, tap into new markets, and mitigate the impact of economic fluctuations in any one region.

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February 11, 2024

Integrating Sustainability: Insights from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business CouncilIn the heartland of America, where dairy farms dot the landscape, the spirit of conservation runs deep. The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (part of the MEP National Network™) works with strategic partners, such as the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council (WSBC), to provide additional services and information to Wisconsin manufacturers. Together with the WSBC, the MEP Center’s suite of sustainability services supports manufacturers to advance sustainability programs, increase efficiency, and get the credentials needed to integrate and operate sustainably.

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February 5, 2024

North Carolina MEP Brought Me Back Home 25 Years AgoAs Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), Phil Mintz drives outreach to North Carolina manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders, and coordinates efforts to stimulate profitable manufacturing growth in the state. Working at NCMEP was a homecoming for him — he did his undergraduate degree at NC State. His career took a winding path for a while, away from his home state and away from manufacturing. But 25 years ago, an ad in the paper for an MEP position brought him back home. Read how it happened.

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January 31, 2024

Manufacturing Internships Expand the Talent PipelineManufacturing internships are one of the most effective methods for building your company’s talent pipeline. Small and medium-sized manufacturers may find it challenging to compete with bigger companies for students. This makes it especially important to widen the net when recruiting for internship programs. In addition to considering candidates from technical fields, also look for well-rounded students. Consider students’ social skills and look for a variety of academic majors to find potential interns who can bring fresh ideas to your company. Learn more from Mayra Ramirez of CIRAS, the Iowa MEP Center.

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