Since its founding in 1989, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP) remains committed to strengthening American manufacturing – accelerating its ongoing transformation into an even more efficient and powerful engine of innovation, driving economic growth and job creation. MEP Centers throughout the U.S. can provide a customized and collaborative solution to increase visibility and reduce risk, building stronger manufacturers. The network of MEP Centers includes over 350 locations across the country, with more than 1,400 field staff working every day with companies in their plants and offices. Find your Center. MEP leverages its network to provide local assistance for planning, training and implementation, including: Change Management Collaborative Product Development Demand Planning Leadership Development Lean/Six Sigma Enterprise Product Development Quality Management Systems Risk Identification/Mitigation Six Sigma Sourcing & Logistics Strategic Energy Management Supplier Scouting Supply Chain Optimization Theory of Constraints Total Cost of Ownership Workforce Effectiveness