Manufacturing competitiveness is shaped by more than production output alone. For small and mid-sized manufacturers, long-term success depends on access to workforce development, operational improvement, technology adoption, and support that helps businesses adapt in a changing market.
That is one reason the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) continues to be part of the broader conversation around U.S. manufacturing. Earlier this month, Melissa Vecchi, Vice President of JV Manufacturing, traveled to Washington, D.C., with regional manufacturing leaders to participate in MEP Hill Day.
The event brought manufacturers together with congressional offices to discuss priorities affecting the sector and to share perspectives on what manufacturers need to remain competitive.
For JV Manufacturing, participating in those conversations was an opportunity to bring a real-world manufacturer's perspective to issues that affect businesses every day, from modernization and workforce development to supply chain resilience and long-term growth.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership, administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a national network that supports small and medium-sized manufacturers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Through local and regional centers, MEP provides practical assistance in areas such as:
For manufacturers, this type of support can play an important role in improving performance, addressing operational challenges, and preparing for future demands.
The value of the MEP National Network is often measured through business outcomes. According to NIST, the network’s estimated FY 2024 impacts included:
NIST’s 2024 MEP Advisory Board report also states that the network worked with more than 36,000 U.S. manufacturers during the fiscal year.
These figures help explain why MEP remains an important part of conversations about manufacturing competitiveness, workforce readiness, and domestic industrial strength.
For JV Manufacturing, MEP Hill Day was not about abstract policy discussion. It was about contributing a manufacturer’s perspective to conversations that directly affect how businesses improve operations, develop talent, and stay competitive.
“Programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are essential to helping small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize, grow, and compete,” said Melissa Vecchi, Vice President of JV Manufacturing. “When we invest in manufacturing, we invest in our country’s innovation, workforce, and communities.”
JV’s participation reflected the company’s continued focus on practical solutions that support long-term manufacturing strength.
JV Manufacturing also recognizes the role Catalyst Connection plays in supporting manufacturers at the regional level. NIST identifies Catalyst Connection within Pennsylvania’s MEP network, and Catalyst Connection describes its work as helping manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania improve competitiveness through consulting, training, workforce development, and technology support.
Regional organizations like Catalyst Connection help translate national manufacturing resources into local impact, giving manufacturers access to expertise and support closer to where they operate.
As manufacturers continue navigating change across the industry, access to practical resources remains essential. Programs like MEP, along with regional partners such as Catalyst Connection, help manufacturers strengthen operations, support their workforce, and prepare for future opportunities.
For JV Manufacturing, participating in MEP Hill Day was an opportunity to stay engaged in a conversation that matters to manufacturers, employees, and local communities alike.
Want to find MEP resources in your area? NIST maintains a national directory to help manufacturers connect with an MEP Center.