Source: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - EXTENSION submitted to NRP
PILOT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER,WI
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0219732
Grant No.
2009-45027-05891
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2009-04858
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2010
Grant Year
2009
Program Code
[SV]- Pilot Technology Transfer, WI
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - EXTENSION
432 N. LAKE STREET
MADISON,WI 53706
Performing Department
Cooperative Extension
Non Technical Summary
Wisconsin is facing significant economic challenges. Manufacturers, especially small and medium‐sized ones, face significant cost pressures and intense international competition. Manufacturing in Wisconsin has always played a significant role because it has traditionally been the state's largest source of earnings with an average hourly wage of $16.27 per hour (Wisconsin Economic Indicators, January 2006). Manufacturers employ almost 500,000 people, contribute about $28 billion of earnings annually to the state's economy, and are vital to the state and national economy. Although manufacturing has traditionally been Wisconsin's largest source of income, wages and earnings paid from all sectors do not begin to compete with the per capita income of the nation and neighboring states. Wisconsin's per capita income is 94% of the national average. In contrast, Minnesota's per capita income is 106% of the national average and $4,275 per capita higher than Wisconsin's. Because the area and its people are an important resource for not only Wisconsin but also the nation, there is a need and an opportunity to strengthen and expand the economy of Northwest Wisconsin. The economic and social well being of the region can be enhanced by helping small and medium‐sized companies implement new business and production systems and technology; by assisting people with turning their creative ideas into successful enterprises; by pilot‐testing the relevance and effectiveness of new technology, business strategies, and systems with companies in Northwest Wisconsin; and by encouraging people, organizations, companies, and agencies to work together on economic development. Methods to be employed include technical assistance projects with companies in northwest Wisconsin, on‐site seminars for manufacturers, lean certification programs, and sponsoring of public events. Outcomes and benefits will include satisfied customers with positive impacts and new lean experts to assist their companies. An additional outcome will be the documentation of referrals to the NWMOC's sister centers in the Stout Technology Transfer Institute.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60861103030100%
Knowledge Area
608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
6110 - Economy of the United States and sectors thereof;

Field Of Science
3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives are to help small and medium‐sized manufacturers become more productive,competitive, and successful via innovative technologies and manufacturing systems by providing Lean Certification Programs in partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College System. Additional objectives are to facilitate technology transfer between industry, the university, and technical colleges to pool the best technology that enables manufacturers to stretch their resource capability; to conduct focused projects on new concepts and systems; to assist Cooperative Extension staff, companies,community organizations, and individuals engaged in agriculture in accessing appropriate resources at UW‐Stout, local technical colleges, etc. We'll facilitate development of new enterprises by assisting with the design and implementation of modern production systems; by helping them test and refine product designs, and/or connecting them with appropriate resources at UW‐Stout, local technical colleges, and UW‐Extension. We will pilot test the relevance and effectiveness of new technology, business strategies, and systems by monitoring new concepts, systems, and technology with companies in our region. Project managers will attend seminars to develop competencies in the topics selected. We will continue to refine our Cooperative Extension activities by exploring ways to facilitate entrepreneurship by making referrals to and working closely with organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, UWExtension, Small Business Association, UW‐Stout's Economic Development Administration, and UWStout's Center for Innovation and Development . We plan to help companies determine the most effective way to utilize services, such as those offered by the Wisconsin Procurement Institute, when competing for state and federal government contracts. In partnership with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, we will help companies become an effective part of a supply chain. We'll evaluate the impacts of the technical assistance and identify the types with the most impact on the company's success. We will foster dissemination of new ideas/best practices through conferences, manufacturers' networks, and seminars; supporting "Manufacturing Collaboration" efforts with entities such as the Technical College System, Economic Development Agencies, UW‐Extension, Chambers of Commerce, and educational institutes to create a network of contacts and partnerships, pooling resources to meet the challenges created by a global marketplace. We will assess the relevance of innovative technologies for entrepreneurs, start‐up companies, and enterprises. Expected outcomes include technical assistance projects; on‐site seminars; Lean Certification Programs; and extremely satisfied customers. An additional output will be the documentation of referrals to our sister centers in the Stout Technology Transfer Institute.
Project Methods
The projects will be conducted by the methods described in NWMOC's Service Delivery Model: Lead generation and follow-up; company visit; opportunities assessment; interaction plan; project implementation; project closure and follow-up. The results will be analyzed via our 6- step process, which is described as follows: During the initial assessment with the client, NWMOC project managers explain that when clients sign a contract for NWMOC services on a project, they are agreeing to participate in one or more after-project surveys. Each project begins by setting expectations or goals for the project. Project managers encourage clients to set realistic and measurable goals, which establish the foundation for identifying measurable change. After each project is completed, the client's project team reports to their company management and/or co-workers on the measures and performance against the original goals. This is often management's first realization of the accomplishment and how it will positively affect their company. Approximately one to six months after the project is completed, NWMOC project managers conduct an "end of project" survey with the client. This survey is our opportunity to review the accomplishments of the project and the measurable results, to recognize any unaccounted impacts, and to identify the additional opportunities and/or questions.

Progress 09/01/09 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The July 2009 integration of the Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center (NWMOC) and the Stout Technology Transfer Institute (STTI) with the UW-Stout Discovery Center provides a unique opportunity to offer services ranging from growth ideas through prototyping, to product development, packaging, and design. NWMOC and partners hosted the 3rd annual Manufacturing Advantage Conference: Resources to Survive and Thrive Discovered at UW-Stout on 4/29/10. A preconference reception and industry tour of Cardinal Glass took place on 4/28/10. The conference focused on resources for manufacturers and provided a forum for them to learn best practices and participate in 38 dynamic, hands-on demonstrations, simulations and workshops. Breakfast keynote former WI Dept of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel kicked off the conference with his talk on Next Generation Manufacturing, which was followed by breakout sessions. Luncheon keynote Robert Chapman, Chairman/CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc., shared People-Centric Leadership: Building a Future for American Manufacturers, followed by more breakout sessions. A record number of 240 attendees participated. Daybreak Discussions, sponsored by NWMOC, CVTC, and Manufacturing Works were held on April & August 2009; January 2010. NWMOC Director formed a Partnership Steering Committee Meeting with Business & Industry representatives from 5 technical college partners at CVTC on 8/8/10. This steering committee discusses issues, service delivery, and processes. B&I reps report to their technical college presidents. Project Managers (PMs) presented 5 seminars to Wausau Chamber of Commerce Jan-May. NWMOC sponsored the Business Innovation Conference in Wausau and partnered with Wipfli Accounting to deliver 5 workshops on R&D Tax Credits and Lean Accounting in Wausau, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, LaCrosse, and Rhinelander. Partnered with Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) to promote growth by selling to the government. Staffed a booth at WPI's 2-day conference on government contracting. Offered Enterprise Business Transformation Planning, Eureka! Winning Ways, supply chain, and profitable sustainability in partnership with sister center WMEP. PM presented Administrative Lean at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. PM presented Accelerating Growth Profit 101 to Equipment Metals Manufacturing group 11/9/09. Trained PMs in Eureka! Winning Ways, A3 Problem Solving, Enterprise Business Transformation, Manufacturing Simulation, Lean to Green, Lean Leadership, and Family Business Succession Planning. PM trained in NIST/MEP Emerging Leaders Program. STTI Marketing Dir and NWMOC Dir participated in Chippewa Valley Rally in Madison in January. STTI/Discovery Center Dir and NWMOC Dir participated in Hill Day, Washington, D.C. in March. NWMOC Advisory board met in Feb. and Aug. STTI Dir, NWMOC Dir, 4 PMs and 2 staff attended MEP national conference in May. STTI Dir spoke at 2 WI EDA events and several economic development agencies and moderated panel discussion at Wisconsin Innovation Network event. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Partnership Steering committee has been well received and continues to facilitate communication and alleviate misconceptions and miscommunications among our technical college partners. The NWMOC Director has received identical signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from each of our five technical college partners. NWMOC obtained NW Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board funding to deliver training to manufacturers in a 10-county region of NW WI. The NWMOC served 204 manufacturers via completed technical assistance activities or public events; delivered 153 technical assistance projects to area manufacturers/businesses; sponsored 22 public events attended by 442 people from 160 companies; achieved client-reported impacts of over $32 million; achieved customer satisfaction rating of 8.93 on a 10-point scale, with 10 being very good; created or retained 432 jobs; provided 33 on-site workshops attended by 390 employees; made 39 referrals to appropriate resources at UW-Stout, Discovery Center, Tech College partners, Wisconsin Procurement Institute, Small Business Development Centers, and other organizations.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The July 2009 integration of the Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center (NWMOC) and the Stout Technology Transfer Institute (STTI) with the UW-Stout Discovery Center provides a unique opportunity to offer services ranging from growth ideas through prototyping, to product development, packaging, and design. NWMOC and partners hosted the 3rd annual Manufacturing Advantage Conference: Resources to Survive and Thrive Discovered at UW-Stout on 4/29/10. A preconference reception and industry tour of Cardinal Glass took place on 4/28/10. The conference focused on resources for manufacturers and provided a forum for them to learn best practices and participate in 38 dynamic, hands-on demonstrations, simulations and workshops. Breakfast keynote former WI Dept of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel kicked off the conference with his talk on Next Generation Manufacturing, which was followed by breakout sessions. Luncheon keynote Robert Chapman, Chairman/CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc., shared People-Centric Leadership: Building a Future for American Manufacturers, followed by more breakout sessions. A record number of 240 attendees participated. Daybreak Discussion sessions, sponsored by NWMOC, CVTC, and Manufacturing Works were held in April, August 2009; January 2010. NWMOC Director formed a Partnership Steering Committee Meeting with Business & Industry representatives from five technical college partners at Chippewa Valley Technical College on 8/8/10. This steering committee discusses issues, service delivery, and processes. B&I reps report to their technical college presidents. Project Managers (PM) presented 5 seminars to Wausau Chamber of Commerce Jan-May. NWMOC cosponsored the Business Innovation Conference in Wausau and partnered with Wipfli Accounting to deliver 5 workshops on R&D Tax Credits and Lean Accounting in Wausau, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, La Crosse, and Rhinelander. Partnered with Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) to promote growth by selling to the government. Staffed a booth at WPI's 2-day conference on government contracting. Offered Enterprise Business Transformation Planning, Eureka! Winning Ways, supply chain, and profitable sustainability in partnership with sister center WMEP. PM presented Administrative Lean at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. PM presented Accelerating Growth Profit 101 to Equipment Metals Manufacturing group 11/9/09. Trained PMs in Eureka! Winning Ways, A3 Problem Solving, Enterprise Business Transformation, Manufacturing Simulation, Lean to Green, Lean Leadership, and Family Business Succession Planning. PM trained in NIST/MEP Emerging Leaders Program. STTI Marketing Dir and NWMOC Dir participated in Chippewa Valley Rally in Madison in January. STTI/Discovery Center Dir and NWMOC Dir participated in Hill Day, Washington, D.C. in March. NWMOC Advisory Board met in Feb. and Aug. STTI Dir, NWMOC Dir, 4 PMs, and 2 staff attended MEP National Conference in May. STTI Dir spoke at 2 WI EDA events and several economic development agencies and moderated panel discussion at Wisconsin Innovation Network event. PARTICIPANTS: Project work was conducted by Project Managers Brad Nasset, Bill Amsrud, Aaron Bialzik, Renee Surdick, Ted Theyerl, Mike Cropp, and Kelly Sullivan. The project was managed by NWMOC Director Larry Blackledge and supported by database specialist Kristy Binkley. TARGET AUDIENCES: There are 3,584 manufacturers in NWMOC 33 county region of which 99 percent are small or medium sized and 70 percent are those who employ fewer than 10; our legislators; and the general public via press releases and website. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Partnership Steering committee has been well received and continues to facilitate communication and alleviate misconceptions and miscommunications among our technical college partners. The NWMOC Director has received identical signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from each of our five technical college partners. NWMOC obtained NW Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board funding to deliver training to manufacturers in a 10-county region of NW WI. The NWMOC served 171 manufacturers by a completed technical assistance activity or public event; delivered 122 technical assistance projects to area manufacturers/businesses; sponsored 17 public events attended by 387 people from 151 companies; achieved client-reported impacts of over $26.2 million; achieved Customer Satisfaction rating of 8.94 on a 10-point scale, with 10 being very good; created or retained 395 jobs; provided 29 on-site workshops attended by 332 employees; made 27 referrals to appropriate resources at UW-Stout, Discovery Center, Tech College partners, Wisconsin Procurement Institute, Small Business Development Centers, and other organizations.

Publications

  • O Donahoe, C 2009 Tomorrows Tools for Today Fall nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2010 Tomorrows Tools for Today Summer nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • Hulke, R. 2010 The Discovery Center Annual Report Fiscal Year 2009 2010 www3.uwstout.edu In Press
  • Binkley, K 2010 District 7 Activity Report nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2010 Andersen Corporation and UW-Stout Students nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2010 Green Bakery Gets Startup Help from UW Stout Discovery Center nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2009 FM Enterprises Embraces Growth and Change nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2010 Schofield Enterprises Transforms Their Business nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press
  • O Donahoe, C 2009 Master Metals Makes Wise Investment nwmoc.uwstout.edu In Press