Blog - Polaris MEP

Industry experts have described the quickly approaching retirement of baby boomers as the Silver Tsunami. Reports indicate the manufacturing sector could lose up to 40% of its skilled employees by 2024 (Industry Week, 2018). Eighty percent of companies acknowledge this is an issue, but less than 31% are actively taking steps to counteract the problem. It is estimated that there will be a 5-Million-person shortage for qualified jobs in the United States by 2026. [Source: Senate Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate Report 2017] Read more

By Luann Edwards, Global Social Media Consultant and Founder, Socially Professional

Not seeing much value in LinkedIn for your manufacturing organization?
It could be that you’re not putting enough into LinkedIn.

Social media platforms empower the user, meaning that the benefit you see is directly related to how you use them. If you have an incomplete LinkedIn profile with fewer than 50 connections, you’re not necessarily going to get much back from LinkedIn.

How can you start to reap benefits from LinkedIn? Four easy steps that you can do in 10 minutes a day. Read more

by Pat Toth, NIST MEP Cybersecurity Program Manager

This article originally appeared on the NIST Manufacturing Innovation blog.

We’re all familiar with Smokey the Bear and the “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” slogan. In 2015, Smokey got an update and the new “Receive a Bear Hug” ads ran nationwide. In the ad, Smokey runs out of the woods and gives a big bearhug to a camper for properly checking camp fire embers. The new, more huggable version of Smokey rewards campers for making responsible decisions rather than scolding them to prevent wild fires. Fear and anxiety are not always the best motivators, and many people respond better to positive motivation through awareness activities.

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Check out and register for 1 or more of the tours, job fairs or other events below to celebrate Rhode Island Manufacturing in October! Read more

What is AS9100 Certification?

Simply put, AS9100 is the International Quality Management System (QMS) standard for the Aerospace industry. It relates to ISO 9001 but takes it further towards ensuring product safety and reliability. An AS9100 registered QMS shows a business’ commitment to quality and dedication to customer satisfaction. This certification meets QMS standards for the Department of Defense (DOD), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

In September 2016, the revised AS9100 D Aerospace Standard was released. As of September 15, 2018, there is no option to renew AS9100C certification.

How will this impact you?  Find out at the next AS9100 Lunch & Learn on Nov 7 – register here.
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Cybersecurity breaches aren’t just for large businesses. No business is too small to be hacked. Over 70% of reported breaches actually affected businesses with 100 employees or less. You might be surprised to learn that represents over 90% of Rhode Island manufacturers! Your business must have a plan in place to help avoid the catastrophic impact of a cyber attack.

Yes, cyber attacks can happen right here in Rhode Island. In fact, it just did. In January/February 2018, Chinese hackers breached a company that contracts with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport and stole sensitive data including some related to the development of a supersonic anti-ship missile designed for U.S. submarines. Read more

East Providence, Rhode Island: Reade International Corp., DBA Reade Advanced Materials, a global distributor of specialty chemical solids, is proud to announce their recent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certification. The 2015 revision is intended to ensure that ISO 9001 continues to adapt to the changing environments in which manufacturers operate. Some of the key updates include limiting risk through an assessment of processes, and improved quality standards and requirements. Leadership and management commitment are also new areas of increased focus in the new ISO standards which will bring added value to the companies’ internal processes. Read more

Portsmouth, Rhode Island: After close to a year of refining their Quality Management System with help from Rhode Island’s Polaris MEP, New England Boatworks Inc. (NEB) has been ISO 9001:2015 registered by NQA. NEB joins a very limited number of Rhode Island Composites businesses who have attained this registration and, while NEB will continue its strong tradition of boat building and marine service work, we look forward to further diversifying our custom composite construction capabilities into new areas. Read more

Industry Specialists Sought to Meet Evolving Needs of RI Manufacturers

May 1, 2018 – PROVIDENCE, RI – Polaris MEP, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership for Rhode Island, is recruiting professional business consultants with a goal to help the state’s manufacturing companies thrive and grow. The application period runs from May 1 through June 15. Applications will be vetted by staff at Polaris MEP and approved partners will be offered opportunities to work with manufacturers on projects related to their area of expertise. Read more

by Pat Toth, NIST MEP Cybersecurity Program Manager

This article originally appeared on the NIST Taking Measure blog.

I think we’ve taken this pumpkin spice thing too far. Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. That first crisp evening when you need to put on a sweater, the crunch of leaves under your feet, homecoming football games, but pumpkin spice? It’s obvious that the pumpkin spice council’s marketing team has done an outstanding job because it’s in everything now: cookies, chocolate candy, ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes, marshmallows, and now even in a special “limited edition” of my favorite breakfast cereal. Read more