# MEP Impact: Empowering Small Manufacturers with Training, Partnerships and Advocacy w/ Pete Connolly

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2025-09-02
- Episode: 273
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-32780510-805f-4bd7-99a6-3399e9e43198

## Summary

Pete Connolly, CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP), explains how the MEP network supports small and mid-sized manufacturers through workforce development, lean manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. He details the 'Future Makers and Creators' mobile training RV program that introduces high school students to modern manufacturing careers and discusses the critical challenges of tariffs and offshoring pharmaceuticals. Connolly also provides an update on the MEP network's recent survival of federal defunding threats and highlights a success story with Mac Products, which gained $3 million in new sales through MEP-led data analysis.

## Chapters

- [0:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=34) Introduction and Pete Connolly's Background
- [6:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=410) Overview of the MEP Network and Services
- [9:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=547) Key Challenges: Tariffs, Workforce, and Red Tape
- [11:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=714) Workforce Development and the Future Makers Program
- [17:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=1060) Supply Chain Resilience and Offshoring Risks
- [19:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=1161) Success Story: Mac Products and Data Analytics
- [21:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=1272) MEP Network Funding Status and Advocacy
- [24:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac#t=1441) How Manufacturers Can Access MEP Services

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (company)
- NIST (company)
- Johnson and Johnson (company)
- Campbell Soup (company)
- DRS technologies (company)
- Mac Products (company)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- Junior Achievement (company)
- Cumberland County Tech Education Center (company)
- County College of Morris (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-04-19-the-quiet-cut-thats-loudly-threatening-small-manufacturing) (Lights Out)
- [BONUS: MEPs are at Risk of Losing Funding and Need Your Help](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-04-21-bonus-meps-are-at-risk-of-losing-funding-and-need-your-help) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [198: Manufacturing’s Role in the Resurgence of Rust Belt Cities with Drew Crowe, Live from 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis, MO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-08-13-198-manufacturings-role-in-the-resurgence-of-rust-belt-cities-with-drew-crowe-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-31-inside-conexus-indiana-the-industry-network-driving-manufacturing-tech-and-talen) (Lights Out)
- [237: How Higher Education Is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing with MIT's Dr. John Liu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-20-237-how-higher-education-is-shaping-the-future-of-manufacturing-with-mits-dr-joh) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Manufacturing Executive.