Our nation’s economic stability relies on a strong manufacturing sector- one that generates jobs, fosters innovation, and drives economic growth. Because small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) make up a large proportion of U.S. firms, their success is essential to a robust manufacturing ecosystem. Key and Critical to this success is a robust national manufacturing supply chain- every single manufacturer plays a role in this success throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Automate ND is designed to provide financial support to North Dakota PSC businesses who are facing a workforce shortage. The funds may be used for the purchase or lease of machinery, equipment, and software (upfront configuration/setup costs) to automate existing processes to increase output per employee and provide opportunities for upskilling. 

The deadline to apply is May 30th! Click the link below for complete details, including eligibility and how to apply. 

LEAN 101 WORKSHOPS

During this one-day Lean overview, you will learn about the Top 10 Lean Tools, C4/A3 Idea Generation, Problem Solving, and participate in a Lego simulation. 

Click below to register for Upcoming Workshops: June 6 - Minot, June 20 - Fargo

Check our website calendar for additional dates and locations.

LEAN ENTERPRISE HIGH PERFORMANCE MANUFACTURING TRAINING

The Impact Dakota LEHPM training helps businesses achieve higher profitability by building internal capability and capacity to improve QUALITY, COST, and DELIVERY. This training is based on the Lean Enterprise Certification (LECP) body of knowledge and uses standards developed and judged by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) in partnership with Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and the Shingo Institute. 

Next Course Starts: June 4, 2024. Click below for details and registration.

Additional 2024 sessions have been added; visit www.impactdakota.com/events.

In this training, participants will gain the knowledge and skills they need to audit your company’s quality system to the ISO9001 standard, the requirements, auditing principles, how to establish an audit program, gather objective evidence, and prepare audit conclusions. In addition to the lecture, participants will get to do experiential activities and gain hands-on auditing practice. There will be ample time throughout the training for questions and answers.

Join industry leaders, engage in insightful discussions, and explore emerging markets right here in North Dakota. The agenda includes compelling speakers, dynamic panel discussions, breakout sessions, and the prestigious 2023 Global Business Awards ceremony, recognizing excellence in global business.

Every May, World Trade Month celebrates how international trade unlocks new business opportunities, creates jobs, and strengthens the U.S. and global economy.

At the International Trade Administration (ITA), we advance inclusive economic prosperity by strengthening the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses, increasing U.S. exports and attracting inbound investment, and leveling the playing field for U.S. companies and workers by defending against unfair trade practices.

Repeating a line from one of my mentors, “Our Quality Management System is our business management system”.  This is critical because your Quality Management System will encompass every business process within your organization from quotation thru shipping and even your after sales service.  Why this is important to know and communicate; your Quality Management System is not just a “quality thing”, it is an “everyone thing”.

A Quality management system, a QMS, is the backbone of organizations striving for excellence in delivering products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations. 

Click Here to read this article written by Reese Forester, Impact Dakota Senior Business Advisor. 

Some people (including me) have been known to groan when the topic of QMS (Quality Management System) gets brought up. Visions of monotonous lectures about standards and requirements, memories of painful audits from years past, and binders full of turtle diagrams may have made me a little bit jaded over time. But, good news! I have a new perspective on QMS that is exciting and has motivated me to shift my strategy as the operations leader for Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing. QMS isn’t JUST about the systems requirements of our organization to be ISO and AS9100 certified; QMS actually holds the secrets (in plain sight!) on how to create a wholly successful business.

Click here to read this article written by Impact Dakota Board of Directors member Erika Bauer.

Impact Dakota is partnering with NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) and our nationwide network of 50 other MEP Centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to help solve supply chain gaps encountered by manufacturers, government entities, and critical service providers. 

DO YOU HAVE A GAP? ARE YOU ABLE TO FILL A GAP?

— Open Opportunities —