Manufacturing in New Hampshire’s largest industry and a vital cog turning our economy. We caught up with Zenagui Brahim, president of the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to catch up on what’s happening and how his organization is working to make manufacturing even stronger.

Zenagui Brahim ~NHMEP

1. When people think of manufacturing, they often think of big factories, but the reality is much different. What does New Hampshire manufacturing look like today?

Thriving. New Hampshire manufacturing has evolved and is becoming a vibrant and growing sector of the economy. It may best be described by what high school students said after they visited neighboring manufacturers during Manufacturing Week in 2013 and 2014.

I learned that in a manufacturing company, there are many jobs and a lot of them seem very interesting.

… that manufacturing is a field where there will always be room for improvement and you can always better yourself as an employee; it is very hi tech and clean.

Manufacturing is a lot more advanced than I once thought.

Manufacturing got its upgrade to the 21st century.”

Today, manufacturing in New Hampshire is more advanced and productive. Manufacturers are more agile as they become more engaged in operational excellence in design, production, delivery and service. NH MEP’s survey last fall shows that 62 percent of respondents from the 88 participating manufacturers (in Manufacturing Week) reported growth of some level during 2013. A number of reports show that our manufacturers will continue to see growth. However, our survey also shows that more than 50 percent said workforce limitations ranks as a significant barrier to growth. The workforce skills’ gap remains a challenge to the manufacturing community across the nation.

Manufacturing here is recognized for its contribution to the state economy. There is now more collaboration between educators, manufacturers and decision makers to address these workforce challenges.

2. You just wrapped up the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? contest, matching up middle schools with local manufacturers for video projects. What are some of the biggest benefits to come out of that challenge?

First, we have made the participating middle-schoolers new stars, for putting together videos that highlight and showcase what is cool about manufacturing. Second, this endeavor has clearly shown that educators and manufacturers can work together and collaborate in the promotion of New Hampshire manufacturing. Third, the team at the NH Division of Economic Development and their partners have learned a lot. Fourth, with these videos, I hope more middle schoolers will have the opportunity to learn about career in advanced manufacturing, get more engaged and learn about STEM, and pursue experiential learning opportunities when they reach high school.

3. Where is the manufacturing industry headed in 2015 and beyond? What are the top trends to watch?

As we move forward, more manufacturers will embrace advanced technologies, automation and digital manufacturing. Small and medium sized manufacturers (SMEs) are asked to participate in design endeavors with their customers. As more OEMs become system integrators, they will be asking their suppliers to be involved in some ways in the design of their products.
Our survey shows that 81 percent of the 88 decisions-makers polled said that new technology and their ability to adapt to change are important to extremely important for them to grow.

I believe we will see industry clusters, such as the aerospace and defense cluster, solidify. Continuous and effective collaboration between educators, manufacturers and policy-makers will certainly pave the way for an advanced manufacturing ecosystem that will help rebrand the industry.

But a significant new trend has evolved during the last few years and that is the growing involvement of New Hampshire manufacturers in building the future skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing. Last fall, 58 manufacturers held open houses during Manufacturing Week, which resulted in 1,100 high school visits to these manufacturers.

To continue to grow, the state’s manufacturers will need to rebrand and build on the strength of the existing and growing industry clusters such as the aerospace and defense, medical device and biotech, electronics and precision machining.

4. How is MEP helping New Hampshire manufacturers to get the skilled workforce needed to help the industry thrive?

Over the last six years, NH MEP has trained over 6,600 manufacturing employees in continuous improvement, quality management, leadership and supply chain management. More information on our programs is available at www.nhmep.org.

NH MEP, in collaboration with the Division of Economic Development; the Department of Education; the Community College System of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, and the New Hampshire High Tech Council, and as well as a large number of local economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and high schools and career and technical education centers and others, has organized New Hampshire Manufacturing Week during the last couple years. The week consists of two days of visits by high school students to local manufacturers; one day of visits to the CTEs and community colleges, culminating with the annual Governor’s Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit.

NH MEP also helps high schools establish manufacturing advisory boards to develop advanced manufacturing curricula, provide guidance to the faculty and internships and mentoring to students.

I, along with David DeWitt of Phase 65 and Gary Groleau, from New Hampshire Ball Bearing, visit high schools and middle schools to speak about careers in advanced manufacturing.

5. What events or programs are coming up to assist manufacturers with their businesses?

In addition to continuing offering proven programs such as Principles of Lean, Lean Certificate, Six Sigma and our always-popular ISO Collaborative, NH MEP plans to launch an exciting new initiative on Technology-Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI). TDMI is a growth service that provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to technology-focused market intelligence. Specifically, TDMI identifies the benefits and the market impacts related to our clients’ technology-based assets and provide the customized actionable intelligence our clients need.

NH MEP is also scheduling its second Business Growth Collaborative, which is a program of six workshops designed to identify critical strategic and tactical actions clients can take to improve revenue, profitability and position their organizations in the marketplace. The program also includes one year of coaching and advising with the instructor.