With MADE in NJ Manufacturing Day approaching, the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program is riding a wave of momentum with a focus on collaboration and partnerships. In just the last few weeks, the organization has been in the news for several items – including the recent unveiling of awards finalists for the annual event, taking place Oct. 4 at iPlay America in Freehold.

Earlier this month, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved a $10 million Phase III for the popular Manufacturing Voucher Program, which provides assistance for New Jersey manufacturers to defray the costs of new equipment. NJ MVP covers 30%-50% of the cost of eligible gear, up to a maximum award amount of $250,000; along with available bonuses for women-, minority- or veteran-owned businesses, and
more.

Since launching as a pilot, the program has been funded with more than $63 million, while the NJEDA has commit nearly $50 million to over 325 manufacturers.

NJMEP Chief Executive Officer Peter Connolly said the first two rounds of the program were “resounding successes for New Jersey manufacturers” that provided capital funding to support crucial equipment purchases for small-medium sized manufacturers.

“We at the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program fully support the NJEDA’s Manufacturing Voucher Program and are excited about the upcoming release of MVP 3,” said Connolly in a Sept. 12 statement. “This program has been a game-changer for our manufacturing community, and NJMEP stands behind the NJEDA as they continue to empower and advance New Jersey’s manufacturing sector through this vital initiative.”

Last month, NJMEP launched its new Mobile Training Center, which the organization says will revolutionize the delivery of advanced manufacturing training.

The Mobile Training Center is a custom-built RV equipped with the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printers, robotic arms, HAAS PLC-powered CNC mills and augmented reality welding equipment.

The unit made its debut at the New Jersey State Fair and is scheduled to travel to manufacturing operations, schools and community centers around N.J. It will also be present on the Future Makers and Creators Tour as well as at the upcoming Manufacturing Day.

“This Mobile Training Center was one of the first real investments I wanted to make when I came on board with NJMEP,” said Connolly in an Aug. 14 news release.

He took the helm of the NJMEP last June, succeeding longtime leader John Kennedy.

“When I was joining the team and held the role of COO, I heard two reoccurring challenges: Transportation issues holding manufacturers back from investing in professional development training for their teams, and the need to engage K-12 students — to show them, their parents and school counselors that manufacturing was a viable career path,” said Connolly. “Employing this Mobile Training Center will solve both those challenges. We can deliver training to any community, any manufacturer, and utilize the Mobile Training Center as a modular classroom or hands-on training lab. We can take the training facility to nearly anywhere in the state. Also, we will incorporate the Training Center in the Future Makers and Creators Tour locations we are hosting with the support of the NJEDA.”

“As advanced manufacturing continues to grow in our state, we’re dedicated to upskilling our talent while making training and career opportunities more accessible to all communities here in New Jersey,” said Melanie Willoughby, executive director of NJBAC. “This investment will foster talent attraction, boost career development and encourage business partnerships throughout our 21 counties, further driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life within the Garden State.”

Building something together

NJBIZ recently caught up with Connolly to discuss the happenings at NJMEP and the manufacturing sector, writ large. As the conversation kicked off, he stressed partnerships, revealing they will be a major theme of the organization’s upcoming event.

“In the year-and-a-half that I’ve been CEO, that’s one of the big things that I’ve been really concentrating on,” Connolly told NJBIZ. He noted the organization has assembled a number of partnerships – from the chambers and other business groups to agencies and departments to the Joint Base and Picatinny Arsenal to the New Jersey Devils to Rowan University and more. “We have spent a lot of time – and these partnerships are really coming to fruition.”

Since his leadership tenure began, Connolly has been zigzagging the state to engage with manufacturers and different stakeholders. He describes this moment as a lot of seeds sprouting while everyone works together in the sandbox.

One example of those partnerships: Earlier this year, NJMEP passed the torch for the State-of-the-State of Manufacturing Summit to the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. The organizations described the move as part of their ongoing Manufacturing Counts strategic partnership, a united effort toward bolstering the sector.

Connolly noted the collaboration with the NJEDA on the Future Makers and Creators Tour.

“It’s a program to visit a high school in every county,” said Connolly. He stressed the initiative aims to get the message out to students that there are ample opportunities in the manufacturing sector that pay well and do not require college degrees. It also seeks to eliminate any stigmas, highlighting how jobs today are different versus the past, with a focus on technology. “We want to educate them on some of the stuff.”

And he said those efforts to reach students are growing, with an initiative aimed at working with middle school students. “Our thought process is – getting to juniors and seniors is great. But we have to start talking to 7th and 8th graders,” he explained.

Connolly described the MVP program in glowing terms. “It’s an unmitigated success,” he said. “It sells out in minutes – and they get extra credit for buying capital equipment in New Jersey.”

When asked about how he is enjoying leading NJMEP just over a year in, Connolly said simply, “I am loving this job.”

“I love every day of it,” he stressed. “I go to Vineland and Sussex in the same week. I am loving it. You can’t listen to rhetoric. I think the economy is getting better. Talking to customers, business is getting better. The supply chain isn’t as bad as it used to be. There are still issues – don’t get me wrong.”

He said that the main issues and challenges he hears about often trend regionally – in North Jersey, working through red tape and bureaucracy while South Jersey still faces major transportation challenges.

“I think workforce development is getting better. It’s not there – but it’s getting better,” he continued. “But I see a bright future. We have a long way to go – don’t get me wrong. Things are trending in the right direction.”

As for this year’s Manufacturing Day event, the NJMEP has nearly 80 sponsors on board with hopes to hit the 1,000-attendee mark for the first time.

“That’s really a goal of ours,” NJMEP Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Womack told NJBIZ. “Last year, we were just about at 1,000. This year, year-over-year, registrations are higher than they have ever been. Sponsorships are higher than they have ever been. So, us as organization, are hopeful to reach that goal and include more manufacturers from the State of New Jersey.”

Womack said those trends reflect that emphasis on partnerships and collaboration.

“All focused on partnering to ensure that this really maintains its reputation as the largest manufacturing networking event on the East Coast,” said Womack. “That brings together these businesses.”

Womack noted the features of the event, such as ample opportunities to network; an exhibit hall with a number of different manufacturers, other businesses and organizations; displays with Made in NJ products; breakout sessions (10 this year – the most ever); speeches; the always popular Robotics Showcase and Competition; the Honor Roll; the awards, featuring finalists representing a wide range of size and scope here in the Garden State in several different categories; and much more.

“It’s all about those partnerships – creating community, where manufacturers here in the State of New Jersey can thrive and grow,” said Womack.