MEP Economic Impacts Boost Business and Jobs

According to the MEP National Network^TM Client Impact Survey, small and medium-sized manufacturers that work with their local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center are saving money, increasing sales, and creating jobs. At MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico, nearly 1,400 manufacturing experts draw on deep industry experience to provide comprehensive, hands-on consulting and training solutions tailored to each manufacturer’s unique challenges. MEP services help manufacturers improve their productivity by offering a variety of solutions, including technology implementation like automation and artificial intelligence, strengthening supply chain resilience, continuous improvement, and more.

Estimated MEP National Network FY 2024 impacts

According to estimates reported by MEP Center manufacturing clients in a third-party survey¹, the MEP National Network helped manufacturers achieve the following in fiscal year (FY) 2024:

• $15 billion in new and retained sales
• $5 billion in new client investments
• $2.6 billion in cost savings
• Over 108,000 jobs created or retained

Since 1988, the MEP National Network has worked with thousands of manufacturers, leading to an estimated $152.2 billion in new sales and $34.2 billion in cost savings, and has helped create and retain over 1.7 million jobs.

MEP Centers rate highly for customer service

Surveyed MEP Center clients reported exceptionally high customer experiences, based on Net Promoter Score metrics. The MEP National Network achieved a Net Promoter Score® of 85.3 – well above industry benchmarks² – indicating a strong likelihood of recommending the MEP Center they worked with to another company or colleague.

Top factors for working with the MEP National Network

According to the survey, the top factors for manufacturing clients choosing to work with the MEP National Network included:

• Staff expertise (60%)
• Cost of service (36%)
• Knowledge (30%)
• Reputation of results (23%)
• Fair service (22%)
• Fabricated metal product manufacturing (17% of clients served)
• Machinery manufacturing (11%)
• Food manufacturing (9%)
• Computer and electronic product manufacturing (6%)
• Transportation equipment manufacturing (6%)

Top manufacturing industries served by the MEP National Network

In FY 2024, the MEP National Network engaged every major manufacturing subsector. The top manufacturing industries served included:

Over 43% of MEP Center clients in FY 2024 represented advanced industries, as defined by Brookings Institution criteria.³

About the MEP National Network

Focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, the MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as nearly 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 475 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. Each MEP Center is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of public or private entities, including state, university and nonprofit organizations.