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How Manufacturers Can Use Work Cells For Safe COVID-19 Distancing While Increasing Productivity
During this time of COVID-19 social distancing, how do we continue safely manufacturing without a loss of productivity? My expertise is facility planning – creating plant layouts that improve manufacturing productivity. In the past, I helped manufacturers decrease...
Governor Gina Raimondo Recognizes Polaris MEP’s Role in Sourcing PPE/Gowns for COVID-19 Response
Polaris MEP received a "shout-out" from Rhode Island's Governor Gina Raimondo during her daily COVID-19 briefing. "The most encouraging thing for me throughout this crisis has just been the way people pull together. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't do something...
Providence Business News: Many local factories transform to meet needs of pandemic fight
Mary Johnson, Polaris MEP Growth and Strategy Manager, was quoted by in a Providence Business News feature on local manufacturers who have pivoted in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. "[Johnson] said local manufacturers tend to be producers of components, putting...
Providence Business News: Manufacturers affected by COVID-19 invited to participate in talent exchange
Susan Shalhoub reported on a pilot program that has been set up for manufacturing companies impacted by the coronavirus, sponsored by Polaris MEP, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and the R.I. Department of Labor and Training. “The manufacturing employers...
Online Learning: 5S Lean Production Tool to Reduce Waste and Costs
This post was contributed by Polaris MEP intern, Melanie Auclair. We've all heard of "lean and mean" but Nathan Bonds is one of the nicest Lean guys on the planet. A Polaris MEP Project Manager, Nathan helps Rhode Island's manufacturers enjoy greater success by...
Responding to a COVID-19 Coronavirus Exposure at Your Manufacturing Facility
The following can serve as a checklist for what you should do if you suspect a COVID-19 exposure has  occurred at your manufacturing facility. This advice is based upon recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). You can use the sources in this document...
COVID-19 Coronavirus: What To Do About ISO, AS9100 and Other Certification Audits
The coronavirus means that many Rhode Island manufacturers are dealing with uncertainty right now ranging from a sharp decrease in business to the exact opposite. Keeping employees safe while at the same time keeping product lines running can easily overwhelm even the...
COVID-19 Coronavirus: Online Security Tips for Safer Teleworking from NIST
As more Rhode Island manufacturers follow state guidance and encourage more employees to "telework," it's important not to let online security become an afterthought -- or worse, a liability. The National Institutes of Standards & Technology (NIST) now has several...
COVID-19 Coronavirus: 3 Mitigation Practices To Adopt from Food & Beverage Manufacturing
"Preventing the spread of disease is just a part of what you do every shift, every day, to take care of your employees and customers in the food industry." That's how Polaris MEP Project Manager Chris Cinieri explains why the guidelines are so strict for food and...
Resources and Support for RI Manufacturers Related to COVID-19 Coronavirus
Supporting Rhode Island manufacturers continues to be the mission of Polaris MEP. We are working closely with state agencies including CommerceRI, RIMA and the Department of Labor and Training (DLT) to make sure manufacturing employer needs are represented related to...
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