Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity

What Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity does

The Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WCMP) is a nonprofit public-private partnership headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, serving as the state's official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center under the NIST MEP National Network. Founded in 2018 and operating with 1–10 employees, WCMP's mission is to connect Wisconsin's small and medium-sized manufacturers with the resources necessary to grow, streamline operations, increase profitability, and compete globally. Its core customer segment is the long-tail of Wisconsin-based SMMs facing workforce shortages, technology adoption barriers, productivity gaps, and global competitiveness pressures. WCMP's strategic significance in the Wisconsin economy is anchored to a manufacturing sector that generates over $72 billion in gross state product and employs nearly 480,000 workers.

WCMP's product surface is built around two pillars: (1) the annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, a longitudinal research publication now in its fifth edition (2025–2026) and based on 400+ executive interviews and statewide focus groups, and (2) manufacturing consulting and advisory services spanning growth strategy, process improvement, AI and automation adoption, workforce development, and cybersecurity. WCMP does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it operates as an intermediary, routing manufacturers to technology and workforce resources across its partner ecosystem, which includes WMEP Manufacturing Solutions, the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center, UW-Stout's Center for Advanced Manufacturing and AI (CAM-AI), Microsoft's AI Co-Innovation Lab for Manufacturing, and Wisconsin's technical college system. Supporting content products include the 'Seize the AI Advantage' supplement (June 2025) and the Growth Opportunities Report (September 2024).

WCMP's revenue model is public-private partnership funding rather than commercial monetization. Services are delivered to manufacturers at no direct cost, supported by government funding (WEDC), federal MEP network resources, and industry sponsorships from entities such as First Business Bank, Top Floor Technologies, and Chortek. The organization is governed by an independent board of directors including representatives from Wisconsin manufacturers (Star Blends, Waukesha Metal Products) and academic institutions (MSOE, UW-Stout). Leadership consists of Executive Director/CEO Buckley Brinkman and Director of Stakeholder Relations Joylynn Gilles. WCMP markets through its annual report, regional readout events in Brookfield, Green Bay, and Menomonie, a media center, and expert thought leadership content.

Name

Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity

Legal name

Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity

Website

https://wicmp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity is a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit public-private partnership serving as the state's official NIST MEP Center, delivering research, advisory services, and resource referrals to Wisconsin small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public-Private Partnership Funding: WCMP operates as a public-private partnership funded through collaborations with government, industry, and education partners. The center receives support from organizations including WEDC (Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation) and operates as Wisconsin's official MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) Center, a member of the NIST MEP National Network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WCMP is Wisconsin's official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center, operating as a public-private partnership that connects Wisconsin manufacturers with resources to grow, improve profitability, and compete globally. Its primary deliverable is the annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, built on 400+ executive interviews and statewide focus groups, supplemented by consulting services, statewide data resources, and referral partnerships with technical colleges and AI/automation providers.

Product overview

WCMP is Wisconsin's official MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) Center - a public-private partnership that connects manufacturers with resources. The organization offers research publications (Wisconsin Manufacturing Report), manufacturing consulting services, and data resources. The core offering is the annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report providing data-driven analysis of the state's manufacturing sector. Services focus on helping manufacturers grow, increase profits, and compete globally through consulting, workforce development, and technology adoption support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wisconsin Manufacturing Report: Annual comprehensive report on the status of Wisconsin manufacturing and key forces affecting it, commissioned by WCMP and based on executive interviews and focus groups across the state

Products and services

• Wisconsin Manufacturing Report Annual comprehensive research publication analyzing the status of Wisconsin manufacturing and key forces affecting it, built on 400+ executive interviews and statewide focus groups. Targeted at Wisconsin manufacturers, industry partners, and policymakers.
• Manufacturing Consulting Services Advisory services helping Wisconsin manufacturers grow, streamline processes, increase profitability, create new products, adopt technology (including AI and automation), address workforce challenges, improve cybersecurity, and compete globally. Delivered at no direct cost to manufacturers through the public-private partnership model.
• Wisconsin Manufacturing Data Online data resource providing insights on Wisconsin manufacturing trends and statistics, supporting manufacturers, policymakers, and researchers with sector-level data.
• Seize the AI Advantage Supplement Report Supplement to the annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report that provides an actionable roadmap for AI adoption in Wisconsin manufacturing.
• Growth Opportunities Report 2024 Standalone report drawing on three report cycles of data to identify four critical growth opportunities for Wisconsin manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Workforce remains the top concern for 84% of manufacturers surveyed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WMEP Manufacturing Solutions (Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMEP Manufacturing Solutions is a key partner in the Wisconsin MEP Network. WCMP collaborates with WMEP to help small and medium-sized manufacturers across Wisconsin grow and thrive. The partnership provides manufacturers with access to resources, expertise, and support services.
• UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center collaborates with WCMP on research, workforce development, and connecting manufacturers with academic resources. UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank serves on the WCMP board of directors.
• NIST MEP National NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCMP is a member of the NIST MEP National Network, serving as Wisconsin's official MEP Center. This affiliation provides access to national resources, best practices, and connections to MEP centers across the country.
• First Business BankminorOthersFirst Business Bank is a sponsor of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, contributing to the production and dissemination of annual manufacturing research for Wisconsin.
• Top Floor TechnologiesminorOthersTop Floor Technologies is a sponsor of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, supporting the annual research initiative.
• ChortekminorOthersChortek is a sponsor of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, contributing to the annual manufacturing research efforts.
• Wisconsin Technical CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin's technical colleges provide workforce development and training resources for manufacturers, part of the broader network supporting AI adoption and workforce training.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MassMEP: MassMEP is Massachusetts's MEP Center providing consulting, training, and innovation services to small and medium manufacturers. Direct state-level peer to WCMP under the same NIST MEP framework, though serving a more innovation-oriented manufacturing base.
• Catalyst Connection: Catalyst Connection is Pennsylvania's MEP Center, providing consulting and operational improvement services to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Direct peer under the NIST MEP framework with comparable service offerings and customer base.
• Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership: Ohio's MEP-affiliated organization providing manufacturing growth and productivity services to Ohio SMMs. Comparable to WCMP in mission, structure, and service mix, operating in another rust-belt manufacturing state with similar workforce and automation challenges.
• Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC): IMEC is Illinois's NIST MEP Center, delivering operational excellence, workforce development, and technology adoption services to SMMs. Functionally aligned with WCMP and serving a neighboring state with comparable manufacturing profile.
• Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center: Michigan's designated MEP Center, providing manufacturing consulting, technology adoption support, and workforce development services to Michigan manufacturers. Operates under the same NIST MEP framework and serves a similar midwestern manufacturing economy as WCMP.
• California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC): CMTC is California's official MEP Center and provides consulting, training, and research services to small and medium-sized manufacturers, operating under the same NIST MEP National Network model as WCMP. It is the most direct state-level functional equivalent of WCMP in the largest U.S. manufacturing state.
• Manufacturer's Alliance (formerly Minnesota MEP): Manufacturer's Alliance is Minnesota's official MEP Center, providing consulting and growth services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Geographically and economically proximate to Wisconsin, with a similar upper-midwest manufacturing base and overlapping industry sectors.

Others

• WMEP Manufacturing Solutions: WMEP is Wisconsin's separate MEP delivery organization that executes much of the actual consulting work in Wisconsin and is a core partner of WCMP. They share the same Wisconsin MEP designation and target customer base but have distinct roles — WMEP delivers services while WCMP produces research and convening.
• Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME): AME is a national membership organization focused on manufacturing excellence, lean, and operational improvement. While it serves a different model (membership association vs. MEP center), it competes for the same manufacturer mindshare on best practices, training, and benchmarking that WCMP addresses through its reports and events.

Broad incumbents

• NIST MEP National Network: NIST MEP is the federal parent organization that designates and supports all state MEP Centers, including WCMP. While not a direct competitor, it sets the operating framework, distributes federal funding, and aggregates data across the network — making it the strategic umbrella organization for WCMP's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-center-for-manufacturing-and-productivity-wcmp-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity