Hear it from Clay Allison, founder and CEO of Wicked Edge, a manufacturer of precision knife-sharpening equipment with a wide range of clients — from law enforcement, to outdoor enthusiasts and the culinary market. The MEP-Wicked Edge partnership was originally forged with a marketing report, which helped the company “point their ship in the right direction,” in Allison’s words. Following subsequent encounters, Allison was astonished by the massive increase in his company’s productivity.

Dear Manufacturer,

As you know, the country is currently taking measures to respond to COVID-19. During these unprecedented times, we appreciate your trust in us. All of this is new, and it is not normal!  Right now, businesses must focus on cost-saving methods as they remain competitive in a changing marketplace. Some businesses have been forced to reduce staff, but the workload is still there. Many have not allowed the virus to stop innovation. And many have been able and willing to help the community by pivoting their production to respond to the PPE needs in our state. New Mexico MEP has provided support for these efforts and we are ready to help you in your fight to get through this.

It is clearer now more than ever that we are the most effective when all of us work together. I continue to be in awe of the way our staff members have adapted in the face of daily changes to policies and procedures while continuing to serve our manufacturing community. I’m thankful for their continued hard work, and I am very proud of the work being done day in and day out in support of New Mexico manufacturers.  I want to reassure you that we are not letting our guard down and we will continue taking precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, taking care of our MEP family — staff, manufacturers, and community.

Please reach out to me if there is anything we can help you with,

Is your business in need of PPE?  Are you someone who can donate PPE?

Click here for information: COVID-19 Emergency Supply Collaborative

Other Important Links:

Resources from NewMexico.gov

New Mexico Department of Health COVID-19 information page

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Financial Resources from the New Mexico Economic Development Department

A message from New Mexico MEP Chief Executive Officer

Dear New Mexico manufacturing community,

The COVID-19 virus and its economic implications are now starting to hit very close to home. I want to assure you that I am staying abreast of the situation as much as possible and from many different angles, working with and/or following the CDC, the State Department of Health, our federal partners and private industry. Health and safety are my priorities.

At this point, all of us at NM MEP are continuing with our work, but we are taking extra precautions and adding more disinfecting/cleaning steps into our daily routines. This is an extremely fluid situation and things can change quickly — I will be sure to get you any updates as quickly as possible.

The economic implications of this epidemic are and will continue to hit our manufacturing community hard. While we hope that it will be a quick dip, the reality is that we don’t know how long recovery will take. MEP’s mission is now more important than ever. As obstacles and challenges that we haven’t seen before arise, we continue to be your solutions providers. Our New Mexico MEP team stands ready to support your recovery process.

Please let me know if you have any questions! I’ll be in touch as things change.

Keeping calm,
Jennifer Sinsabaugh

Can you help in the fight?

A new website connects manufacturers to the needs of the medical community during the fight against COVID-19. Read the press release. Visit the website.

General Links and Important Numbers

(Also see the right-hand column for direct links to other resources and below for capital resources.)

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 infection – fever, cough or shortness of breath – use the Self Screening Tool to determine if you should be tested. The link also contains a list of testing locations.

If you have non-health-related questions or concerns – call 833-551-0518 or visit Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s COVID-19 information page, which is continually updated as a one-stop source for emerging information.

Find updated information about the number of positive and negative test results in New Mexico, and read NM Dept. of Health press releases about test results.

Find all of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s public health orders, including closures of non-essential businesses and temporary delay of non-essential medical procedures on her Latest Updates page.

Read the order that prohibits health care providers and wholesale medical suppliers from selling or otherwise distributing personal protective equipment without prior approval from the New Mexico Department of Health.

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces.

CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers (continually updated).

Help for Businesses Negatively Impacted by COVID-19

Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act published by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship.

Coronavirus Emergency Loans – Small Business Guide and Checklist prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

New Mexico Economic Development Dept. loan programs for businesses, including LEDA Zero-percent interest loan and COVID-19 loan guarantee program.

SBA Disaster Loan.

The New Mexico office of the US Small Business Administration may be able to answer questions about SBA loans, and the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers have offered assistance with filling out applications. Find your nearest NMSBDC office. (Staff is working remotely and accepting phone calls and emails.)

Other information will be provided as it becomes available.

KRQE speaks with New Mexico MEP’s Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Sinsabaugh and Old Wood Chief Operating Officer Shiloh Old about this year’s Manufacturing Day.

A behind-the-scenes look at pinball mod manufacturer Mezel Mods and their successful collaboration with New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Albuquerque Business First and New Mexico MEP sat down with two New Mexico companies and explored future opportunities for manufacturing in New Mexico.

What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Industry 4.0 involves a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital, and biological worlds.

According to a recent report by the Manufacturing Institute, 35 percent of students engaged in career and technical education (CTE) have no contact with potential future employers. And only 12 percent have had the opportunity to walk through a manufacturing facility.

Manufacturing Day aims to increase those statistics. The month-long celebration of manufacturing focuses on introducing students to careers in manufacturing by encouraging them to tour facilities where manufacturing takes place. When manufacturing companies invite students to tour their facilities, students see CAD designs develop, materials transformed by skilled technicians operating modern equipment, and finished products packaged for delivery.

Manufacturing Day is meant to inspire and recruit the next generation of manufacturers. If we’re going to address manufacturers’ growing need for a new generation of skilled workers, parents, teachers and future employers must all come together to engage students and give them first-hand exposure to modern manufacturing.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re a manufacturer in search of talent, commit to hosting a Mfg Day event. If you’re a teacher or school administrator, plan to take your students on a tour.

We can help. Contact us so that together we can increase jobs, talent and manufacturing in New Mexico.

Marpac Custom – one of many tours this year!

See a variety of textile products being cut and sewn with a state-of-the art computer fabric-cutting machine, computerized sewing machines, as well as industrial hand-operated sewing.

Sisneros Bros. Manufacturing was doing a great job filling orders for the custom duct work that goes in large commercial buildings and Navy ships. But when the next generation of family members joined the leadership team, they asked New Mexico MEP to help them plan for the future. MEP helped the company perform Value Stream Mapping, which indicated some parts were moving up to 6 miles on the floor during the fabrication process. The video explains.