Good news for North Carolina manufacturers: you are not alone.
In fact, according to 2015 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 7,821 manufacturing firms in North Carolina with 460,200 employees.
Even more good news? In 2016, the total ouput from manufacturers in North Carolina was $99.78 billion.
Take a look at the latest data from the National Association of Manufacturers and The Center for Manufacturing Research, and you'll see this chart that shows NC manufacturing growth is taking a nice climb up and to the right:
Great companies and great products can take much of the credit for that upswing, but I also believe it has a lot to do with North Carolina's manufacturing organizations, professional groups and state government departments.
It doesn't matter if you're looking to expand your manufacturing operation, overcome an industry challenge or simply seeking advice, start here to find help.
Here are five great resources for North Carolina manufacturing companies...
Who they are and what they do: "Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) is the engineering-based, solutions-driven, client-focused extension unit of NC State's College of Engineering. Our broad portfolio of solutions and deep industry expertise help organizations grow, innovate and prosper. Our extensive partnerships with business, industry, education and government generate a unique culture of collaboration that provides access to cutting-edge expertise, research, and technology."
Who they are and what they do: "Manufactured in North Carolina is a directory of manufacturers based in North Carolina. When a company enrolls in MNC, it gets a profile page showing its location, the type of products it manufactures, relevant certifications and contact information. Profile pages can be linked to a company’s website and social media accounts, as well. These profile pages serve to increase peer-to-peer networking and generate exposure and for small- to mid-size NC manufacturers."
Note: Membership in MNC is free, and anyone can search the site for free.
RELATED READ: Closing the Manufacturing Skills Gap in Currituck County
Who they are and what they do: "The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The Department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.
The Department also publishes data, statistics, information and reports for citizens and policymakers interested in the state’s economy."
Who they are and what they do: "The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) provides manufacturing extension services that enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of US-based manufacturing firms. It also works to strengthen the global competitiveness of small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
NCMEP links its manufacturing partners to a network of national expertise and suppliers, creating an innovation hub and knowledge base for the state of North Carolina."
Who they are and what they do: "Focused on recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters with customers around the globe, helping small business owners get their start, and attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world.
In pursuit of sustainable job-creation and investment in North Carolina, the EDPNC works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels. As a nonprofit public-private partnership, the EDPNC operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, while receiving financial support from private companies throughout the state."
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