For Manufacturers

The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) is a program of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2) and is a member of the National MEP network supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The GaMEP, with offices in nine regions across the state, has been serving Georgia manufacturers since 1960. We offer a solution based approach through on-site coaching and training designed to increase top-line growth and reduce bottom-line cost.

Service areas of the GaMEP include:

  • Strategic Business Development
  • Lean / Process Improvement
  • Sustainability
  • Energy Management
  • Quality Management
  • Product Development
  • ISO Standards

For more information on the GaMEP services, visit www.gamep.org.

In addition to the above services, the GaMEP can also connect manufacturers to additional Georgia Tech resources that include:

Contact: Chris Downing at 404-894-7700 or ude.hcetag.etavonninull@gninwod.sirhc

Examples of GaMEP Projects

Reducing Environmental Footprint:

In 2007, Athens-based Power Partners expanded its product line to manufacture solar water heater systems, which use the sun’s energy to heat water and can provide up to 85 percent of the energy needed to produce residential hot water. After working on projects in lean manufacturing and quality standards with EI2, the company contacted the organization again to conduct an energy assessment. Energy specialists evaluated Power Partners’ process heating systems for potential energy-saving opportunities – an estimated energy savings of 30 percent. In addition, tank inventory was reduced by 34 percent, total supply-chain lead time for tanks went from more than 17 days to less than a week, water usage was reduced by 10,000 gallons per day, quality improved, and productivity increased.

Jump-starting Growth:

Over the past 30 years, Rotary Corporation, a lawnmower blade manufacturer in Glennville, has tapped into nearly every service offered by EI2, including feasibility studies; energy, environmental, and safety audits; and lean manufacturing implementation. Recently, Rotary participated in “Eureka! Winning Ways®,” an award-winning three-step process being offered by EI2 that helps companies assess how to best jump-start growth through innovative and creative ideas. As a result of this growth strategies project, Rotary has experienced positive impacts that included $1.5 million in increased sales, $2 million in retained sales that would have otherwise been lost, and 50 jobs saved. For more information visit Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Streamlining Quality Processes:

Thermal Ceramics, an Augusta insulation manufacturer, needed assistance revamping and streamlining its quality management system to meet current needs with existing staffing levels. EI2reviewed the company’s documentation, developed a system that had a more value-added process, and identified training needs. EI2 team members also conducted a gap audit, helped with the development of an implementation plan, assisted with initial internal audits and a management review, conducted a pre-assessment audit, and corrected system issues prior to the registration audit. As a result of becoming ISO certified, Thermal Ceramics increased its sales by $6 million while saving $2 million in costs.

Implementing Cellular Factory Design:

Spectral Response, a Duluth manufacturer of circuit boards, had to develop innovative ways of thinking to survive and thrive. EI2 lean specialists helped the company implement a cellular design in its factory to reduce the length of time from order initiation until shipping, and also to help with orders that needed to be reworked or changed. As a result, total work-in-process has decreased by more than 50 percent, lead times have been cut in half, overtime is down from 15 percent to less than 5 percent, the company has 40 percent more floor space for future growth, and electricity costs have fallen by 20 percent.

Winning Government Contracts:

Over the past nine years, Unique Clean’s government contracts have grown from one to more than 60, a feat management partially attributes to Georgia Tech’s Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC), part of EI2. Staff members from the Marietta-based janitorial company have attended every seminar offered by GTPAC and have also contacted procurement counselors for assistance on a variety of issues. The company has increased its revenue from $225,000 its first year to $4.8 million last year, with approximately 90 percent of its revenue generated from government-related contracts.



A worker at Spectral Response in Duluth inspects a circuit board before it is shipped. The Enterprise Innovation Institute assisted the company with improving its manufacturing processes.

Fighting Import Competition:

In 2007, Quality Filters, Inc., a Robertsdale, Ala. manufacturer of HVAC, gas phase, and paint filtration products, began to feel competitive pressure from overseas companies. To address the foreign competition, company management applied for funding support from the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC), a federal program based at EI2 that helps manufacturers in the Southeast develop and implement turnaround strategies to better compete with imports. An EI2 project manager developed an adjustment plan that detailed projects to receive funding support, including assistance in research and development, marketing, and new product development. As a result, the company has developed a new, environmentally friendly product and seen growth of more than 12 percent.

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