WHO WE ARE

Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (The Center-West) has acted as trusted advisors to small and medium-sized manufacturers as they develop stronger operations, drive innovation, promote excellence and achieve greater profitability.

From the executive office to the plant floor and the shipping docks, The Center-West's solutions have provided proven, measurable results to hundreds of manufacturers over the course of the last 30 years. Advisers for The Center-West provide objective, straight-forward consulting and manufacturing technical support to manufacturers in the 13-county West Michigan region.

The Center-West's goal is to ensure our West Michigan manufacturing community continues to grow and succeed. Your business success is a key component to achieving that objective.

HOW WE WORK

Whether you have already identified areas of improvement within your operations or are seeking guidance on where to start, The Center-West team is equipped to build tailored solutions and provide valuable resources to meet your specific needs.

Your manufacturing environment is unique, so the solutions we develop will be, too. Our proven processes ensure that the personalized plan you receive will maximize every dollar you invest in advancing and optimizing your systems, talent, and operations:

No-Cost Assessment

Our advisers begin every project with a No-Cost Assessment of your entire manufacturing facility. We identify areas for improvement and use them as your baseline metrics moving forward.

Plan

Using the insights gathered from your No-Cost assessment, our advisers develop a custom, actionable plan tailored to meet your company's exact needs for improvement and growth.

Do

Choose from an array of implementation methods to enact your personalized plan. Engage via customized on-site training and consulting, peer-to peer group learning, or attend workshops, webinars and other events relevant to your needs.

Check

Our success is measured by your own. We use an independent third-party organization to analyze our work. Indicators of success include: increased sales, new customers, and cost savings.

Prioritizing continuous improvement, we continue working alongside you to ensure your operations maintain their improvements and identify next steps for advancement.

Act

PARTNERSHIPS

The Center-West is a small, dynamic team with a vast network of partners and subcontractors. This far-reaching structure allows our team to respond quickly to the changing needs of West Michigan's manufacturing community. We are equipped to connect you with any of our partner organizations, providing a clear path to the answers and services you need most.

The Right Place, Inc. is West Michigan’s leading economic development organization, offering confidential, comprehensive business services in Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana counties. The Right Place drives regional economic development initiatives to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region.

The services offered by The Center-West are critical components to The Right Place's economic development toolkit. Members of The Center-West team are also part of The Right Place team, allowing the organizations to work in-sync to provide top-tier support to the West Michigan business community.

Visit The Right Place, Inc. Site >

The MEP National Network™ is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing.

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) and its regional offices are Michigan's Manufacturing Extensions Partnership (MEP). MEP is a federal program with offices in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. If you're operating outside of West Michigan, The Center-West team is happy to connect your business to any of our regional offices or with any MEP across the nation.

View the MEP National Network Map >

View the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center site >

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is closely affiliated with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) with the shared goal of making Michigan businesses vibrant, driving GDP growth, and creating new and lasting jobs.

Visit the MEDC Site >

Michigan Works! is Michigan’s state funded workforce development agency. The Center-West staff works closely with Michigan Works! Business Solutions representatives to provide funding opportunities; recruit, screen, and train talent; and overall support and supplement employer efforts.

Visit the Michigan Works! Site >

West Michigan Community College Partners

The Center-West partners with all of West Michigan's community colleges: Grand Rapids Community College, Muskegon Community College, West Shore Community College, and Montcalm Community College. These institutions are experts in training current and next generation talent on technical skills that are critical for all manufacturing employees.