Polaris MEP's Own Chris Cinieri Helps Nterprisers Develop Their New Manufacturer Marketplace Do you know Polaris MEP project manager, Chris Cinieri? If so, you know that Chris truly understands manufacturers' needs because he is on the floor with workers identifying...
CHALLENGES
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Space: The Final Frontier for Standards
Space: The Final Frontier for Standards The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is extending its standards expertise into low Earth orbit with a new mission that sends seven carefully characterized “standard reference materials” to the International...
Pawtucket Manufacturer’s Forum Provides Lively Conversation and Insights
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, various manufacturers gathered at the Cooley Group’s Pawtucket headquarters for a stimulating conversation on the current state of Rhode Island manufacturing. The Pawtucket Manufacturers’ Forum, presented by Polaris MEP and the Pawtucket...
How Can Companies Improve Sustainability Efforts?
How Can Companies Improve Sustainability Efforts? Supply chain sustainability is quickly moving from “nice to have” to “must have” for manufacturers that want to stay on preferred supplier lists. In a feature for Material Handling & Logistics, Indrani de Silva...
The Toll of Tariffs
The Toll of Tariffs In 2025, factories and manufacturers were hit with the sudden and unexpected expense of higher tariffs. For many, this threw businesses into turmoil as they struggled to find materials, which in turn caused supply chain disruptions, and increased...
Mapping Your Supply Chains Helps Prioritize Risks and Actions
By Melissa Burant, Supply Chain Project Manager, and Marc Schneider of CIRAS (Iowa MEP) Polaris MEP is the Rhode Island Center for the MEP National NetworkTM, whose mission it is to strengthen and empower small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the United...
Improve Quality
Better Product, Better Results No manufacturer sets out to have quality issues, but the reality is that, over time, quality and process controls can erode. And it often takes only a few mistakes to kick off a serious decline, wreaking havoc on your reputation and...
Reduce Expenses
Optimize Your Workflow to Improve Your Bottom Line Rising costs have taken a toll on all businesses in the last decade. But the good news is, opportunities to reduce expenses can be found at each step of your manufacturing flow! Wasted movements, suboptimal layouts,...
Grow Sales
The Best Product Is Only the Beginning Having a great product doesn’t guarantee sales. Waste, non-compliance, lack of R&D, dated marketing and sales techniques are just a few of the barriers to sales. Finding it challenging to scale? Instilling a lean culture can...
Standards Compliance
Compliance Can Help You Tap Into New Markets One way to approach the challenge of regulatory compliance is to implement Quality Management Systems (QMS), which can open the door to new customers and industries. Are customers demanding that you demonstrate the ability...
Change Starts with a Conversation
Looking for ways to grow sales, reduce expenses, improve quality, or all of the above? Schedule an assessment with the Polaris MEP team today!









