News

New Mexico MEP CEO to Speak About Advanced Manufacturing

Jennifer Sinsabaugh, CEO and Executive Director of New Mexico MEP, will join Hunter McDaniel, CEO and Founder of UbiQD, Inc., to discuss advanced manufacturing opportunities in clean technology at the New Mexico Startup Forum. The two-day event, organized by Arrowhead Center at NMSU, will take place September 4 and 5 at Isleta Resort and Casino…

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Value Stream Mapping Prepares Rural Business for Sale

Businesses change to meet consumer needs, and none more so than a business located in a rural community, where residents depend on one another for essential services. Thirty-four-year-old Larry’s Tire and Power Saw Shop at 6340 US Highway 550 in Cuba, New Mexico is a prime example. When Larry Moreland purchased the business in 1990,…

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Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Visits New Mexico MEP Client Theta Plate Inc.

Dr. Laurie Locascio, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director, visited New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) client Theta Plate Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 30, 2024. Theta Plate, a third-generation family-owned metal-plating business started in 1976, performs military standard and decorative electroplating of metals ranging from platinum to tin.…

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Advanced Energy Tax Credit Signed Into Law

The Advanced Energy Equipment Income Tax credit was signed into law by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in February 2024. The credit, effective Jan. 1, 2025, through the end of 2032, offsets up to 20 percent of the costs of equipment to produce components that qualify under the federal Inflation Reduction Act’s 45X provision…

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ETV’s KeenAI™ Military Application Aims to Protect Deployed Troops

Deborah and Eugene “Cliff” Hudson envisioned safeguarding troops in military operations when they founded Emerging Technology Ventures (ETV) in 2014. Cliff had worked in autonomous systems development before retiring as a civilian engineer at the Department of Defense and Navy Reserve where he saw firsthand how robotics and sensing analytics could improve and support infrastructure…

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More Reasons for Re-Shoring

According to a recent article in Forbes, manufacturers that were intent on reducing their foreign reliance after COVID-19 supply chain disruptions have made little progress four years after the start of the pandemic. And now there is a new reason to be concerned.   A double whammy, some say, may be headed our way due…

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Get Your Financial Footing

You know us for the lean methodology consulting and workshops we offer, but did you know we also support small businesses by sponsoring partners’ workshops we believe could benefit our clients? Many of these workshops are related to business and financial management. We see time and again that cash flow management can help small businesses…

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Community Enrichment Starts on the Factory Floor at Largo Tank

When Adam Wagoner talks about community, he’s probably referring to rapidly suiting up to fight a fire, leading a Cub Scout troop, or coaching a sports team. Wagoner, a volunteer firefighter, joins his business partners in supporting community groups in all these ways. Wagoner is an owner and vice president of Largo Tank and Equipment,…

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Work with Aztec Company Shows Power of Relationships

Chris Jaquez, president of Industrial Cooling Exchangers Ltd. (ICE) knew little about New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership  before 2017, when Four Corners innovation director Denise Williams met him at a local economic development function. Then “she kind of popped in (to ICE’s Aztec facility) and said she was aware of us and gave us the…

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Mfg Day 2023: Nearly 400 Students Introduced to Manufacturing

When Leo Ordoñez donned safety glasses, a yellow vest, and hearing protection for his Mfg Day 2023 tour of ABB Installation Products, the Jimmy Carter Middle School 8th-grader understood this was not an ordinary field trip. Ordoñez and his classmates learned firsthand about the products used to connect, ground, splice, terminate, and protect underground power…

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A Cog in the Wheel of New Mexico’s Space Future

New Mexico MEP is proud to be an integral part of the New Mexico Space Valley Coalition, a team of public and private entities driving America’s space industry right here in New Mexico. By working together, we are laying the foundation of a holistic approach to space commercialization and exploration that is diverse and accessible…

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Salsa business expands with help from New Mexico MEP

Rachel Schneider had limited experience in the food industry when her father purchased Ol’ Gringo Chile Company from its original owners in 2014 and began training her to take over the 22-year-old Las Cruces salsa and jarring business. Within 6 months, her father had died of cancer. “Dad had the vision, but he was gone…

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USDA Grant Writing Workshops

Small businesses, solar providers, nonprofits, and others are encouraged to participate in free grant writing workshops to learn how to prepare and apply for funds from the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) and the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) programs. While the workshops are specific to these programs, participants will gain insight into the…

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Growth Unlimited for Production Sewing Company

Veronica Fuller has been sewing for more than 40 years. It’s what she loves to do. The owner of Sandia Pet Products migrated from Juarez, Mexico, 32 years ago and began working in sewing production facilities around Albuquerque, lending her expertise to manufacturing companies like Southwest Creations Collaborative, Marpac, and Sierra Peaks Corporation. In her…

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Adaptation and Skills Sustain Farmington Business

Founded in 1980 by Ivan Clay and Ellis Groomer, Clay Groomer Machine Shop (CGMS) has fulfilled the San Juan Basin’s machining needs by producing quality work in a safe and timely manner. Their success has been a result of always going above and beyond customers’ expectations. Clay Groomer historically provided on-site and mobile machining, mechanical…

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New Owners Put Silver City Tile Company on Path To Growth

Within two years of purchasing Syzygy Tile Works in Silver City, Josh and Carolyn White knew they needed to expand the business to meet national and international demand for their high-end, handcrafted ceramic tiles. Josh had worked for the company for 16 years before the previous owner retired, and he quickly made improvements to shorten…

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Congratulations to Recent SBIR/STTR Awardees

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs award more than $2.5 billion in research & development investment dollars to businesses across the U.S. every year. The funds allow businesses to move their idea or innovation to commercial markets while retaining the rights to their product. Eleven federal agencies participate…

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Farmington company finds growth through expert advice

When Cody Waldroup purchased ABC Canvas in 2016 from the company’s founders, the serial entrepreneur thought the business would fit nicely into his portfolio of revenue-producing investments because the 35-year-old business was well known in Farmington for quality custom canvas, including marine products, commercial and industrial covers, and shade products. What Waldroup did not realize…

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Pandemic offered Velarde winery time to improve

When the coronavirus pandemic temporarily halted tourist traffic and shuttered restaurants and bars throughout New Mexico, Black Mesa Winery in Velarde had an inventory of wine and hard cider worth $100,000 and fewer avenues to deliver its products to customers. Winery owners Jerry and Lynda Burd were able to keep products moving out the door…

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Pet accessory company scales up with help from New Mexico MEP

For nearly 15 years, Amanda and Dan Jackson-Miller created custom-made designer dog collars, leashes and other pet accessories from a 5,000-square-foot building in downtown Albuquerque. With demand outpacing their building’s storage capacity, the couple moved in early 2022 into a 9,000-square-foot building near the Albuquerque Sunport. They did so with the help of experts from…

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Theta Plate gains new markets with help from New Mexico MEP

Aaron Velasquez, co-owner of Theta Plate Inc., wanted to ensure the future of his Albuquerque electroplating company. The third-generation family business started by his parents in 1976 performs Military Specification and decorative electroplating on precious and other metals that range from platinum to tin. Velasquez saw opportunity beyond the company’s small aerospace jobs and jewelry…

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Grow your talent stream through Mfg Day

“The manufacturing community has long struggled with finding skilled workers, citing, among other things, the misperceptions that manufacturing jobs underpay, are monotonous and involve working in dirty factories,” said Scott Dietz in a recent article. Dietz, of Catalyst Connection, an MEP Center based in Pittsburgh, continued, “With the adoption of Industry 4.0 — automation and…

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Farmington Engraving Business Grows

Bonnie Cummings sees similarities in the health care she provides as a registered nurse and the customer care she offers as the owner of Third Axis Custom Engraving. The Farmington business owner shares knowledge and creativity to help customers — and patients — achieve their goals. Cummings spent 13 years working full time at a…

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Students Invited to Help Manufacturers Solve Sustainability Challenges

New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP), in partnership with the Albuquerque chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and the New Mexico Coalition of Sustainable Communities, is inviting students to offer solutions to sustainability challenges faced by the state’s manufacturers. Students will compete with one another by submitting a short video or…

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Hands-on discovery

Meet the Matterport camera. One of its superpowers is replicating your facility in digital form. By stitching together 3D scans of photos and line art, Matterport can enable you to take a virtual walk through your manufacturing space. Perhaps you’re creating a 3D demonstration of how you make your product but there is sensitive information…

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First test, then invest

Strap on a pair of augmented reality goggles and explore tech that can be applied to any manufacturing process. At New Mexico MEP’s Tech Demo Workshop, you can test new technology before investing in it. If you’re curious about implementing additive manufacturing, collaborative robots, optical sorting equipment and other tech in your facility, call us…

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New Mexico MEP helps startup pitch technology to potential clients

Working with New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP) shaved at least a year off the time RingIR president Dr. Charles Harb expected to spend getting his company’s portable gas-detecting product ready for market. And given the disruption and delay caused by the state’s protracted coronavirus-related shutdown, the value of that time is hard…

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Automation exploration

Would adding automation to your company improve your bottom line? What kind of tech would best boost your competitive edge? Before investing in it, explore new technology in New Mexico MEP’s Tech Demo room. NM MEP Automation Specialist Wesley Eccles can demonstrate the tech, from robotic arms and 3D printers, to quality control cameras, and…

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Help inspire New Mexico students

Help build excitement around New Mexico’s manufacturing careers. Submit your video! The education and workforce development nonprofit Bridge of Southern New Mexico, in partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department, is requesting recorded personal interviews it can share with students to build awareness about manufacturing careers. The team is particularly interested in showcasing machinists,…

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New Mexico MEP helps high-tech startup in journey ‘from lab to market’

Microscopic examination of metals can help airplane manufacturers know that the planes they build can withstand the forces involved in flight and could assure airlines that jet engine maintenance would detect problems before takeoff. A small woman-owned business based in Albuquerque is commercializing a laser optical technology that has the potential to revolutionize this “failure…

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Twentyfold sales growth

Doctor of Oriental Medicine Janine Mahon originally formulated a healing oil to treat her own postpartum mastitis pain. Having refined it and shared it with clients at her Albuquerque clinic, demand grew, and she wondered if there might be a larger market beyond her regular clients. That’s when she launched Dr. Janine Mahon’s Rejuvenating Breast…

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And we’re live!

It’s true, we’re back to making on-sight visits! Call us to discuss a challenge we could help you address, and we’ll schedule a time to visit your facility! And speaking of enriching in-person events, don’t miss the Fundamentals of Lean Manufacturing Public Workshop next month. Workshop participants will learn about reducing work in process, promoting quality…

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Strategic transformation

“The temptation is to do things the way they’ve always been done,” says Jessica Velasquez, co-owner of Albuquerque electroplating business Theta Plate Inc. By resisting that temptation, and with New Mexico MEP’s guidance, the third-generation family business is growing on multiple levels. Improved customer relations, streamlined operations, and an expanded client base are the results…

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Collaboration Has Benefits

Rio Rancho-based Mezel Mods is an example of a company that benefits when local resource providers collaborate. In 2019, company co-owner Kristin Browning-Mezel worked with New Mexico MEP Innovation Director Scott Bryant on a project to improve company workflow, line balancing, inventory, quality, and profitability. That project increased capacity by 21% annually, shortened lead times…

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A spirited partnership

 Navajo Spirit, a producer of Navajo traditional-inspired clothes with a modern twist in Gallup, NM, evolved out of co-owner Virginia Yazzie Ballenger’s passion for design. During the course of the company’s over-14-year partnership with NM MEP, hobby-level production evolved into a streamlined business. Working with MEP brought “a huge raise in our income as…

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National Manufacturing Day: Table of Experts

Albuquerque Business First and New Mexico M.E.P. host a virtual roundtable to kick off National Manufacturing Month (October 1-31, 2021), and share thoughts from local experts on how New Mexico M.E.P. has served as a resource for manufacturers in our state.  Albuquerque Business First sales manager Will Martinez moderates the panel, with speakers Brian Rashap,…

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Wicked Productivity

 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…

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Value Stream Mapping

Join New Mexico MEP for a hands-on workshop to help you improve your work area.  This workshop is for the office — often called the front end or starting of an order.  The free workshop will address: Customer education Communication, paperwork flow, and information Tasks, assignments by skills, and tools available Inventory Documentation Quality Payment…

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Outdoor Economics Conference – MfgDay 2021

New Mexico’s Outdoor Economics Conference (OEC) will be held in Farmington from September 29th – October 1st. OEC is the state’s premier gathering for outdoor recreation discussions and networking. Events will include Opening remarks by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Pitchfest, where outdoor entrepreneurs will vie for a $5,000 grand prize investment in their business Activities…

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Coming Soon: Tools and Measurement Workshop

In response to New Mexico manufacturer feedback, New Mexico MEP is developing a new workshop designed to help workers become proficient in the use of tools and measurements used in manufacturing. Classes, which are expected to be offered beginning in the fall of 2021, will be hands-on and will impart the knowledge that manufacturers have…

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Workforce insights

When you want to know something, what do you do? You Google it, of course! But if you want to understand how the MEP National Network is approaching workforce development across the 50 States and Puerto Rico, what do you do? Well, you may not be able to just Google it yet – but we’re…

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Drones in Space Exploration

Drones and Robotics for Space Exploration NASA Minds Project Moon Hopper NASA Robotics Mining Challenge Find other applications by clicking on the headings below. Technology Military & Public Safety Civilian Healthcare & Medicine Natural Resources & Conservation Energy Back to 550-Corridor event page

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