montana manufacturing extension center

What montana manufacturing extension center does

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) is a Bozeman-based non-profit manufacturing consulting organization founded in 1996 as Montana's designated center in the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) national network. It provides on-site consulting and training to small and mid-sized manufacturers across Montana, delivered through field engineers stationed at four regional offices (Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispell, Helena) plus a Great Falls Development Authority partnership covering north-central Montana. Its core service lines are Lean Enterprise (including the Lean Enterprise Certification Program, value stream mapping, plant layout, set-up reduction, and Lean for Office/Administration), Business Management Solutions (breakeven analysis, capacity planning, equipment justification, financial modeling, product and shop-rate costing), Facility Planning, Quality Systems (ISO 9001, AS 9100, ISO 14000, HACCP/GFSI certification support), Customer-Focused Marketing and Strategic Business Development, and Leadership/Strategic Growth (1 Hour 2 Plan, Exceptional Leadership Program). Underlying technology is methodology and human expertise rather than a software product: proprietary frameworks include a 10-session LECP workshop series, a flexible spreadsheet-based feasibility/financial modeling tool, and pencil-and-paper Value Stream Mapping.

MMEC's business model blends four funding streams: federal NIST MEP cost-share, State of Montana appropriations, Montana State University institutional support (home office is housed within the MSU College of Engineering), and client-paid consulting and training fees. Pricing for training is published ($75 per TUESDAYS with TODD session, $2,500 for ExporTech with up to three executives, $2,500 for the 3-day AS 9100 Internal Quality Auditor workshop, licensed 1H2P at $250 per session), while consulting engagements are quote-driven and project-specific, structured as proposals that specify time frames, services, costs, and direct benefits. Layered on top are pass-through grants MMEC helps clients access, notably Incumbent Worker Training grants of up to $2,000 per full-time employee through the Montana Department of Labor. The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales: field engineers drive to client manufacturing facilities statewide for initial consultation, assessment, and project implementation, supported by a 800-MEP-4MFG inbound line, the annual Compete Smart Manufacturing Conference, and a newsletter/event marketing program. The University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP), run jointly with MSU since 1986, embeds graduate engineering students into engagements at subsidized cost and serves as a talent pipeline.

Name

montana manufacturing extension center

Legal name

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

Website

https://mtmanufacturingcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is a Bozeman-based non-profit and NIST MEP center that provides on-site Lean, quality, facility-planning, and business-management consulting to small and mid-sized manufacturers across Montana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal NIST MEP Funding: MMEC receives financial and program support from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) through the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network.
2. State of Montana Support: MMEC receives financial and program support from the State of Montana as part of its economic development mission.
3. Montana State University Support: MMEC receives financial and program support from Montana State University (MSU), with home office located in the College of Engineering at MSU in Bozeman.
4. Client-Funded Consulting Services: Fees for consulting services are based on measurable results. Field staff develop proposals specifying time frames, services, cost, and direct benefits based on client needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center provides hands-on manufacturing consulting, training, and technical assistance to Montana manufacturers. Its service lines include Lean Enterprise, Business Management Solutions, Facility Planning, Quality Systems, Customer-Focused Marketing and Strategic Business Development, Leadership/Innovation/Strategic Growth, and the University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP). Field engineers deliver these services on-site at client facilities throughout the state.

Product overview

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) provides a comprehensive suite of manufacturing assistance services to Montana manufacturers, delivered through a network of field engineers and specialists. The organization operates as an outreach center of Montana State University, offering services across six core areas: Lean Enterprise (including the Lean Enterprise Certification Program, plant layout, value stream mapping, and office/administration), Business Management Solutions (breakeven analysis, capacity planning, equipment justification, financial modeling), Facility Planning (layout, automation, new process integration), Quality Systems (ISO/AS certification assistance, gap assessments, auditor training), Customer Focused Marketing & Strategic Business Development, and Leadership & Strategic Growth (including the 1 Hour 2 Plan methodology). Additional offerings include the University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP), public training workshops (TUESDAYS with TODD, ExporTech, AS 9100 training), and an Ask Our Expert resource. MMEC does not offer a software product or platform but rather provides hands-on consulting, training, and technical assistance to help Montana manufacturers improve operations, reduce costs, and grow their businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lean Enterprise

Quantifiable outcome

• $951.7 million in increased/retained sales; $95.7 million in cost savings; $174.9 million in capital & workforce investments; 3,411 jobs created/retained since founding in 1996 through Q4 2013
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, major and moderate.

• Compete Smart Conference SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Platinum sponsors: Energy: Community Works, Chamber of Commerce, Montana Department of Labor. Gold sponsors: Choose Montana, Big Sky Economic Development, First Interstate Bank, MT DEQ. Silver: InterDyn BMI, Department of Agriculture, State Fund, Hydraulics/FELCO Industries, MSU College of Engineering, UPS. Bronze: Various Montana businesses and organizations.
• University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP) at Montana State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986Since September 1986, UTAP engineers employed by Montana State University while working on advanced degrees in Industrial and Management Engineering lend knowledge and research skills to Montana manufacturers. UTAP works under direction of senior MMEC field engineers.
• NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMEC is part of a nationwide network of Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers administered by NIST to assist small and mid-size manufacturers in becoming more competitive and profitable. MMEC receives financial and program support from NIST MEP and connects Montana manufacturers to national resources.
• Montana State University College of EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMEC home office is in the College of Engineering at Montana State University in Bozeman. MMEC receives financial and program support from MSU and operates as an outreach center of the university.
• University of Montana School of Business AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerField office host partner providing space and resources for MMEC operations in Missoula region.
• Great Falls Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerField office host partner providing space and resources for MMEC operations serving North-central Montana region.
• Montana Department of LabormajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborates on Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Program providing up to $2,000 per full-time employee for training at Montana companies with 20 or fewer employees. MMEC field engineers help companies apply for training grants.
• Montana Department of CommercemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners on Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant program providing grant funds to businesses for training of new full-time and part-time jobs. Also coordinates on economic development initiatives.
• Montana Chamber of Commerce / MT Manufacturing CouncilmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner10% discount offered on MMEC public training sessions for members of Montana Chamber/MT Manufacturing Council.
• Associated Employers of MontanamoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint training opportunities with Associated Employers of Montana offering 10% discount per person on training sessions for joint MMEC/Associated Employer training or projects.
• Montana Small Business Development Center NetworkmoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCoordinates with SBDC centers across Montana (10 offices) to assist companies with workforce training grant applications and business development.
• Montana District Export CouncilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMontana World Trade Center provides international trade assistance. MMEC ExporTech program helps companies develop export strategies with assistance from local and national experts.
• CM ManufacturingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorld-class manufacturer in Missoula hosting Day 2 live audit practice for AS 9100Rev C Internal Quality Auditor Training workshop.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership: The federal NIST-managed network of which MMEC is a member center. It is the structural parent/funding conduit for MMEC and operates the nationwide playbook, training, and benchmarking system that anchors MMEC's service model.

Direct peers

• Impact Washington: Washington state's NIST MEP center, also a university-affiliated nonprofit providing Lean, quality, growth, and workforce services to manufacturers. Direct peer in mission, funding model, and service mix, differing only by geography.
• Catalyst Connection: Pennsylvania's NIST MEP center delivering manufacturing consulting, technology adoption, and workforce support to small/mid-sized manufacturers. Operates the same MEP model as MMEC in a different industrial geography.
• FloridaMakes: Florida's NIST MEP-affiliated nonprofit manufacturing extension organization providing business and technical assistance to manufacturers. Comparable structure to MMEC but operating in a much larger manufacturing economy.
• TBM Consulting Group: Private operations and Lean consulting firm serving manufacturers with the same Lean, supply-chain, and continuous-improvement offerings MMEC delivers. Closest for-profit competitor in MMEC's core consulting lanes.
• Gemba Academy: Lean training and consulting firm serving manufacturers with content, workshops, and implementation support. Overlaps MMEC's Lean Enterprise and training offerings, especially for self-directed mid-market clients.

Others

• Lean Enterprise Institute: Educational nonprofit that develops and disseminates the Lean Enterprise methodology MMEC teaches and implements. Not a direct competitor (it does not deliver paid consulting) but the source authority that anchors MMEC's Lean curriculum and certification program.
• America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): SBA-funded nationwide network of nonprofit small business advisory centers. Same structural pattern as MMEC (publicly funded, university-hosted, field-delivered consulting), but with a broader general small-business mandate versus MMEC's manufacturing specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/montanamanufacturingextensioncenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montana-manufacturing-extension-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 montana manufacturing extension center