Did you know that most Colorado manufacturing companies are eligible for a variety of federal and state-level grant programs for training? As part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership network, CAMT is a recommended training provider and/or direct conduit for funding from several grant programs, including the state-sponsored Colorado First and Existing Industry grant programs, the 360vu Foundation /Dept. of Labor Lean Enterprise Certification Program, and the EPA Green Suppliers Network.

Colorado companies that meet certain baseline criteria are eligible to apply for Colorado First and Existing Industry training funds in a competitive grant process. Companies moving to Colorado or existing Colorado companies adding new employees are eligible for Colorado First Funds. Companies adding technology or changing their business strategies in an effort to stay competitive in the market can expand the capabilities of their workforce with Existing Industry Funds.

The 360vu Lean Enterprise Certification Program was developed by the Foundation in partnership with the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the US Department of Labor under the Employment and Training Administration's High Growth Job Training Initiative. The program has a goal of providing funding to assist with the Lean Manufacturing training and certification of 1,900 individuals by December 2007. CAMT will offer a Lean training series and certification program in late summer.

The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership has also partnered with the EPA to develop the Green Suppliers Network (GSN). Through the GSN, small and mid-size manufacturers working with CAMT are eligible for grants to significantly offset the costs of a week-long review designed to uncover easily- implemented environmentally sound manufacturing practices while reducing labor and capital costs and encouraging greater employee participation. The review includes a facility walk-through, Value Stream Mapping process, on-site implementation and an Opportunity Analysis Report.

For more information on how to access these funding opportunities, please call 303.592.4087.

Reata Engineering is a contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining and assembly to a variety of industries including the medical device, aerospace and technology industries. Founded in 1993 by Grady Cope with $6000 on a credit card to purchase a used manual lathe and mill, Reata Engineering has steadily grown to employ 33 employees filling a 25,000 square foot facility.

Continued success led to the acquisition of a local bearing heater manufacturing company in 2001 and expansion to the larger facility in 2004. With growth came operational strains, and Grady decided to implement best practices and streamlined processes on the manufacturing floor. Through the help of Pueblo and Arapahoe Community Colleges and Sumer Sorensen-Bain of CAMT, Reata Engineering was awarded a Colorado Existing Industry grant to commence CAMT trainings.

The entire staff took part in the six-month training focusing on the Lean Manufacturing methodologies 5S Workplace Organization and Set-up Reduction. The 5S philosophy focuses on simplifying the work environment, reducing waste, and improving quality and safety through implementing five steps: sorting, shining, setting in order, standardizing and sharing information, and sustaining improvements. Set-up reduction is a valuable technique aimed to decrease overall costs and lead-times.

The staff implemented their new knowledge and techniques to enable improved work flow, reduction in set-up times, improved staff communication and a decrease in lead time by hours. Additionally, in the spirit of 5S, Reata adopted a new tool and tooling management system that eliminated information and communication deficits that caused a slow down in production. These improvements have led to a 50% increase in sales revenue for Reata Engineering.

Results:

• Sales increase of $400,000
• Retained Sales of $200,000
• Savings of $85,000

Many organizations-- economic development agencies, industry associations, and government and educational programs-- are working to resolve the often-cited dilemma of Colorado's economy-- an expanding economy with high industry growth, coupled with a decrease in skilled workers stemming from low high school and college completion rates. Action Works is a not-for profit addressing this pervasive problem by providing science and math projects in schools to engage Colorado youth.

Action Works offers several programs in local schools, such as a Math/Science software program, and educational science video viewings. On November 10, 2007 Action Works is organizing a First Lego League Tournament in Berthoud for kids age 9 through 13. Kids build and program robots using Lego NXT robots and run them on several challenges, bringing together engineering, physics, software programming, project management and fun.

Action Works is in need of tournament sponsors at the $100 level in exchange for advertising space at the tournament. 100% of all donations go directly to the tournament. For more information about Action Works, please visit the Action Works Web site.

CAMT will soon be offering innovation and top-line growth facilitation services in partnership with Eureka! Ranch, the world's leader in applying systemic thinking to business growth planning. We all know companies must innovate to grow. But what does that really mean? Do you innovate only products? How do you begin to think innovatively? Innovation is manifested in not only new products, but in a variety of categories. Consider these eight opportunities for innovation to explore in your company:

• New product or service
• New business model
• New brand
• New strategic partnerships
• New distribution channels
• New customer sets
• New communication channels
• New business processes

Many struggle with innovative thought and identifying opportunities. Here are some ideas to kickstart your innovative thinking:

• Look outside your industry for new ideas. Create an advisory board that has little or nothing to do with your industry for fresh ideas.
• Investigate Futurist resources. Futurists take social, technological, environmental, economic, and political factors into account to predict future products, services and developments. Check out organizations such as the World Futurist Society (www.wfs.org), Innovation Watch (http://www.innovationwatch.com/), Long Bets (http://www.longbets.org/), or the Google patents information service (www.google.com/patents).
• Find a younger mentor.
• Go beyond the focus groups: be your customer; be your competitor; talk to front-line employees; and make it easy to submit feedback.
• Put some zip into your reading lists. Visit passionate communities such as blogs, social networks, and wikisites. Interesting Web sites to explore:
Ten by Ten- visual map of news (tenbyten.org), Engadget- Latest in technology, gadgetry (engadget.com), Worldchanging- Green News (worldchanging.com) and Gizmodo- gizmos, gadgets, raves, rants (gizmodo.com).

With Eureka! Winning Ways, CAMT will guide your team through an idea engineering process, help you select top ideas to move forward with and assist you in the implementation processs. Look for more information about Eureka! Winning Ways in the upcoming months!