ND loves manufacturing! The industry accounts for 7.3% of the state’s GDP. Over 27,000 North Dakotans are employed in the industry – that’s 6.7% of the workforce. Every manufacturing job looks different, just like each worker’s background looks different too. Technology and innovation have changed how workers are attracted, retained, and trained in this sector. Each job is important to each business and the success of our state. Impact Dakota and GNDC teamed up to spotlight this workforce.

We are now accepting nominations to showcase Faces of Manufacturing – demonstrating the diversity in a vital industry and showcasing the opportunities that are here in North Dakota. We want to celebrate the creators, we know you do too!

Sponsorships available, visit with Chris@ndchamber.com to affiliate with this celebration.

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. 

Upcoming Sessions: June 15 - Fargo, July 26th - Devils Lake

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 begins July 11th in Fargo! 

In these training sessions, participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to audit your company’s quality system to the ISO9001 and/or AS9100 standards, 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.

June 21-22 in Fargo, ND • ISO9001:2015 is 1-1/2 days | AS9100D is 2 days

PREVENTIVE CONTROLS FOR HUMAN FOOD - PCQI

One of the most significant new FDA rules is the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule. This rule states that every human food manufacturer, except for the very smallest who will have modified requirements, must have somebody on staff who has completed a Preventive Controls for Human Food class.

July 17-19 • Minot

BASICS OF HACCP

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) training is required by USDA-FSIS for it’s inspected facilities and many food manufacturers and wholesalers require their suppliers and vendors to have a working and audited HACCP plan.

August 10-11 • Fargo

ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D Quality Management System Audits prepare internal auditors to perform effective process audits and helps managers and supervisors take full advantage of the internal audit process.

The standards are relevant for any organization who wants to improve their performance and customer satisfaction; the organization can be of any size or field.

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

I don’t believe there is a manufacturing segment that is not affected by the current global supply chain issues. I have spoken to many people in my normal day-to-day business and in my travels that are experiencing the same challenges.  

Material shortages, rising prices, and lead-times are out of sight and there does not appear to be any relief soon. These issues have created an additional burden on every aspect of our business. 

Click Here to read this article written by Impact Dakota Board of Directors Vice Chairman Jeff Edberg, Vice President of Operations at Spectrum Aeromed.

The Automation Tax Credit saw several changes during the legislative session.  The tax credit is now available to manufacturing and animal agriculture.  The amount of tax credits was raised from $1 million per calendar year to $3 million per calendar year.  While in the past, manufacturers were eligible for a tax credit of up to 20% of eligible equipment purchases, that amount was decreased to 15%. There is also $500,000 set aside for first time users in the program for both manufacturing and animal agriculture. Finally, the sunset for the program was removed.  Previously, the program expired at the end of 2022.  With these actions, businesses have more consistency when making investment decisions.

Update provided by Andrea Pfennig, Director of Government Affairs

Think of your business as a vehicle. You need to care for and maintain the different components to keep it reliably running. The business optimization program will tune your business engine. Our focus is on the following 6 areas, or cylinders:

Please contact Gordon if you have any questions, or if you would like to take action on the Business Excellence Optimization offering. Click here to schedule your no-cost assessment. 

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 —