Tag: manufacturing

Building Resilient Supply Chains: Planning, Development, & Risk Mitigation

Industry professionals explore strategies to improve efficiency, optimize planning and procurement, and drive sustainable growth.

Join GENEDGE and our partner James Madison University for a dynamic and engaging session focused on building stronger, more resilient manufacturing operations. This co-sponsored event will bring together industry professionals, business leaders, and innovators to explore practical strategies that enhance efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and drive sustainable growth.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into current industry trends, planning and procurement best practices, and actionable approaches to improve operational performance. Whether you are looking to optimize your processes, expand your network, or stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape, this session is designed to deliver real value.

Come ready to learn, connect, and walk away with tools you can immediately apply to your organization.

Register Here

Normally priced at $125 per person, this event is being offered at no cost through a partnership between James Madison University and GENEDGE, Virginia’s MEP Center, using federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership funding.

Supporting Employees While Maintaining a Safe and Productive Workplace

Manufacturers and other employers often face difficult situations involving employee wellbeing, workplace safety, and maintaining a productive workforce. Supervisors are frequently the first to encounter these challenges and must balance compassion for employees with the responsibility to protect the workplace and the organization.

This session brings together experts from industry and community organizations to discuss practical approaches employers can use when navigating complex employee situations. Participants will gain insight into recognizing and responding to challenging workplace circumstances, supporting employees in accessing community resources, and exploring options that help employees remain productive members of the workforce.

The program will include perspectives from GENEDGE, community support organizations, and workforce development professionals. Together they will highlight approaches that allow employers to respond appropriately, protect their organizations, and connect employees with resources that may help them overcome personal challenges while remaining engaged in the workforce.

Register Here

This event will be held at the Pulaski Innovation Center on Thursday, May 21 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

This $125 per person training is offered at NO-COST through a GENEDGE partnership with New River/Mt. Rogers Workforce Development Board and the New River Valley Community Services.

Re-VAMMP Workshop – Roanoke, VA February 20th, 2025

Are you a metal manufacturer in Virginia looking to expand or modernize your capabilities? 

 

Explore your businesses potential for growth and innovation.

 

Join us for a series of transformative workshops designed to build a common understanding of the benefits and requirements of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM).

 

February 20th, 2025, 9:30am – 3pm

Roanoke Higher Education Center

108 N Jefferson St

Roanoke, VA 24016

REGISTER > HERE

Why Attend?

Our comprehensive workshop curriculum includes:

What is Metal Additive Manufacturing? Learn the basics and key concepts.

Why is this technology important? Understand the significance of MAM in modern manufacturing.

How can this technology expand or modernize your capabilities? Explore the potential for growth and innovation.

Guest Speaker:

Kevin Nims (attending all dates), a representative from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

Kevin is an experienced Materials Planner and Production Scheduler with a strong history working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Manufacturing, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), SAP, and Supply Chain Management.

Additional Topics to Cover:

Types or Categories of Metal Additive Manufacturing:

    • Powder Bed Fusion: Laser, Electron Beam
    • Directed Energy Deposition: Powder, Wire, Cold Spray
    • Sintering: Binder Jetting, Material Jetting, Material Extrusion
    • Friction Stir

 

Business Considerations:

    • Implementation Costs
    • Operating Costs
    • Overhead Costs
    • Pre-processing, Printing, and Post-processing
    • Financial Analysis: Cost comparison with other methods

 

Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful MAM applications.

Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Principles: Learn how to design for MAM to optimize performance and efficiency.

Cyber Security Considerations: Understand the importance of protecting your digital assets.

 

  • How do I move forward in Virginia?
    • Qualification/Certification
    • Resources

GUEST Speaker: Kevin Nims, representative from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

 

REGISTER > HERE

Re-VAMMP Workshop – Weyers Cave, VA February 18th, 2025

Are you a metal manufacturer in Virginia looking to expand or modernize your capabilities? 

 

Explore your businesses potential for growth and innovation.

 

Join us for a series of transformative workshops designed to build a common understanding of the benefits and requirements of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM).

 

February 18th, 2025, 9:30am – 3pm

Blue Ridge Community College – Plecker Center

One College Lane

Weyers Cave, VA  24486

REGISTER > HERE

Why Attend?

Our comprehensive workshop curriculum includes:

What is Metal Additive Manufacturing? Learn the basics and key concepts.

Why is this technology important? Understand the significance of MAM in modern manufacturing.

How can this technology expand or modernize your capabilities? Explore the potential for growth and innovation.

Guest Speaker:

Kevin Nims (attending all dates), a representative from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

Kevin is an experienced Materials Planner and Production Scheduler with a strong history working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Manufacturing, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), SAP, and Supply Chain Management.

Additional Topics to Cover:

Types or Categories of Metal Additive Manufacturing:

    • Powder Bed Fusion: Laser, Electron Beam
    • Directed Energy Deposition: Powder, Wire, Cold Spray
    • Sintering: Binder Jetting, Material Jetting, Material Extrusion
    • Friction Stir

 

Business Considerations:

    • Implementation Costs
    • Operating Costs
    • Overhead Costs
    • Pre-processing, Printing, and Post-processing
    • Financial Analysis: Cost comparison with other methods

 

Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful MAM applications.

Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Principles: Learn how to design for MAM to optimize performance and efficiency.

Cyber Security Considerations: Understand the importance of protecting your digital assets.

 

  • How do I move forward in Virginia?
    • Qualification/Certification
    • Resources

GUEST Speaker: Kevin Nims, representative from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

REGISTER > HERE

Re-VAMMP Workshop – Richmond VA, January 30th 2025

Are you a metal manufacturer in Virginia looking to expand or modernize your capabilities? 

 

Explore your businesses potential for growth and innovation.

 

Join us for a series of transformative workshops designed to build a common understanding of the benefits and requirements of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM).

 

January 30th, 2025, 9:30am – 5pm

Virginia Tech Richmond Center

2810 N. Parham Road, Suite 300

Richmond, VA 23294

REGISTER > HERE

Why Attend?

Our comprehensive workshop curriculum includes:

What is Metal Additive Manufacturing? Learn the basics and key concepts.

Why is this technology important? Understand the significance of MAM in modern manufacturing.

How can this technology expand or modernize your capabilities? Explore the potential for growth and innovation.

Guest Speakers:

Griffin Keller (attending 1/28 & 1/30) and Kevin Nims (attending all dates), representatives from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

Griffin is an MSME with over 20 years of experience, including 8 years of expertise in Quality Systems Management.

She is experienced in several different aspects of engineering:

  • Design, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Regulatory, Service, and Field Support within a variety of fields including automotive, power generation, Medical Devices, and the DoD.

Kevin is an experienced Materials Planner and Production Scheduler with a strong history working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Manufacturing, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), SAP, and Supply Chain Management.

Additional Topics to Cover:

Types or Categories of Metal Additive Manufacturing:

    • Powder Bed Fusion: Laser, Electron Beam
    • Directed Energy Deposition: Powder, Wire, Cold Spray
    • Sintering: Binder Jetting, Material Jetting, Material Extrusion
    • Friction Stir

 

Business Considerations:

    • Implementation Costs
    • Operating Costs
    • Overhead Costs
    • Pre-processing, Printing, and Post-processing
    • Financial Analysis: Cost comparison with other methods

 

Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful MAM applications.

Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Principles: Learn how to design for MAM to optimize performance and efficiency.

Cyber Security Considerations: Understand the importance of protecting your digital assets.

 

  • How do I move forward in Virginia?
    • Qualification/Certification
    • Resources

GUEST Speakers: Griffin Keller and Kevin Nims, representatives from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

 

Griffin Keller is the Quality Manager for Austal USA Advanced Technologies, joining just shy of a year ago. Griffin is managing the activation program to engage and guide suppliers through the technical qualification and onboarding processes which will then enable them to become Additive Manufacturing serial production facilities approved for use in part production for the Marine Industrial Base (MIB). Griffin is an MSME with over 20 years of experience, including 8 years of expertise in Quality Systems Management and maintaining Regulatory Compliance of Medical Devices to 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, MDSAP, MEDDEV, and EU MDR 2017/745.  She is a certified lead auditor to ISO 9001:2015 and experienced in several different aspects of engineering: Design, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Regulatory, Service, and Field Support within a variety of fields including automotive, power generation, Class I, II, and III Medical Devices, and the DoD.

REGISTER > HERE

Half-Day Lean Process Improvement Class – Abingdon, VA

 Dive Deeper into Process Improvement with GENEDGE: Master the Mechanics of Manufacturing!

REGISTER HERE

Join us at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Rooms 230 & 231 in Abingdon, VA for a transformative half-day lean overview paired with hands-on simulation, this interactive training accommodates 10-13 keen learners.

What’s In Store?

  • Participants will go through three quick simulation rounds to teach concepts. Operators will build K’nex “Widgets” to simulate a traditional manufacturing operation.
  • A Training overview will address standard lean tools and improvement methodologies, including lot size reduction, single piece flow and simulation results will demonstrate impacts to business in lead-times, profitability and productivity.
  • In the simulation’s third-round the team applies concepts of kaizen and process improvement to create their own process flow, which they can see the results of the changes and improvements over the three rounds.

Witness Remarkable Results in Just Three Rounds!

Cycle time reduction of 80%
90% reduction in WIP
60% reduction of floor space
Up to 150% increase in number of units shipped
70% Increase in profit.

Topics covered include:

• Definition of Lean
• 8 types of waste
• Value add vs non-value add activities
• Standard work
• 5 S and visual management
• Batch manufacturing and lot size reduction
• Pull systems and Kanban
• Point of use storage
• Line balancing
• Teamwork and kaizen
• Plant layout

Reserve Your Spot & Ignite Operational Excellence With GENEDGE!

INSTRUCTOR: Cheryl A. Carrico, PH.D., P.E.

COST IS $275.00PP

REGISTER HERE

Re-VAMMP Workshop – Norfolk VA, January 28th, 2025

Are you a metal manufacturer in Virginia looking to expand or modernize your capabilities? 

 

Explore your businesses potential for growth and innovation.

 

Join us for a series of transformative workshops designed to build a common understanding of the benefits and requirements of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM).

 

January 28th, 2025, 9:30am – 5pm
Norfolk Public Library – Downtown Branch at Slover
235 E Plume St, Room 650
Norfolk, VA 23510

REGISTER > HERE

Why Attend?

Our comprehensive workshop curriculum includes:

What is Metal Additive Manufacturing? Learn the basics and key concepts.

Why is this technology important? Understand the significance of MAM in modern manufacturing.

How can this technology expand or modernize your capabilities? Explore the potential for growth and innovation.

Guest Speakers:

Griffin Keller (attending 1/28 & 1/30) and Kevin Nims (attending all dates), representatives from AUSTAL USA, operators of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence at IALR in Danville, will share the assistance programs they provide to additive manufacturers to qualify for Navy supply chain opportunities.

Griffin is an MSME with over 20 years of experience, including 8 years of expertise in Quality Systems Management.

She is experienced in several different aspects of engineering:

  • Design, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Regulatory, Service, and Field Support within a variety of fields including automotive, power generation, Medical Devices, and the DoD.

Kevin is an experienced Materials Planner and Production Scheduler with a strong history working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Manufacturing, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), SAP, and Supply Chain Management.

Additional Topics to Cover:

  • Types or Categories of Metal Additive Manufacturing:
    • Powder Bed Fusion: Laser, Electron Beam
    • Directed Energy Deposition: Powder, Wire, Cold Spray
    • Sintering: Binder Jetting, Material Jetting, Material Extrusion
    • Friction Stir

 

  • Business Considerations:
    • Implementation Costs
    • Operating Costs
    • Overhead Costs
    • Pre-processing, Printing, and Post-processing
    • Financial Analysis: Cost comparison with other methods

 

Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful MAM applications.

Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Principles: Learn how to design for MAM to optimize performance and efficiency.

Cyber Security Considerations: Understand the importance of protecting your digital assets.

 

  • How do I move forward in Virginia?
    • Qualification/Certification
    • Resources

REGISTER > HERE

Half-Day Lean Process Improvement Class – Pulaski Innovation Center

 Dive Deeper into Process Improvement with GENEDGE: Master the Mechanics of Manufacturing!

REGISTER HERE

Join us at the Pulaski Innovation Center in Fairlawn, VA for a transformative half-day lean overview paired with hands-on simulation, this interactive training accommodates 10-13 keen learners.

What’s In Store?

  • Participants will go through three quick simulation rounds to teach concepts. Operators will build K’nex “Widgets” to simulate a traditional manufacturing operation.
  • A Training overview will address standard lean tools and improvement methodologies, including lot size reduction, single piece flow and simulation results will demonstrate impacts to business in lead-times, profitability and productivity.
  • In the simulation’s third-round the team applies concepts of kaizen and process improvement to create their own process flow, which they can see the results of the changes and improvements over the three rounds.

Witness Remarkable Results in Just Three Rounds!

Cycle time reduction of 80%
90% reduction in WIP
60% reduction of floor space
Up to 150% increase in number of units shipped
70% Increase in profit.

Topics covered include:

• Definition of Lean
• 8 types of waste
• Value add vs non-value add activities
• Standard work
• 5 S and visual management
• Batch manufacturing and lot size reduction
• Pull systems and Kanban
• Point of use storage
• Line balancing
• Teamwork and kaizen
• Plant layout

Reserve Your Spot & Ignite Operational Excellence With GENEDGE!

INSTRUCTOR: Cheryl A. Carrico, PH.D., P.E.

COST IS $275.00PP

REGISTER HERE

2024 VT ISE Senior Design Symposium

Join us at the VT ISE Symposium to celebrate ISE seniors’ projects through Poster session and Team presentations! The event is a technical conference event at which company representatives, students, GENEDGE advisors, and faculty share and celebrate the project results.

Date:          Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Time:          11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Poster session, Team presentations, Award ceremony)
Location:    The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (map)

AGENDA

  • Registration    11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Poster Session (Undergraduate Research)  11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Poster Session (Senior Design) 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Opening Remarks    12:10 p.m.
  • Presentation Session One  12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Break   2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Presentation Session Two 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Reception and Awards Ceremony   4:45 – 6:00 p.m.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

 

 

Learn More About The Program and How your Company Can Apply Here: Go To Program Page

Six Course Leadership Training Series

Drive results with stronger frontline leaders!

Registration is Closed for This Event –

For information or questions about the Leadership training please contact:

Bert Eades (276) 734.6291 bert.eades@genedge.org

Six Course Leadership Training Series

Drive results through stronger frontline leaders!

Join us for an exclusive 6-course leadership training series tailored specifically for the dynamic manufacturing sector! Dive deep into the core tenets of leadership and learn how to navigate, inspire, and drive growth within your manufacturing company. Whether you’re a mid-level manager, a frontline supervisor, or preparing for a supervisory role, this series is designed with you in mind.

What You Will Gain:

  • Leadership Foundations
  • Efficient operational strategies
  • The power of data-driven decisions
  • Embracing technology and innovation
  • Team Dynamics and Effective Communication
  • Strategic Planning & Vision
  • Change Management in Manufacturing
  • Developing a Leadership Legacy

Beneficial for any professional seeking to: Become a good (or better) leader. Equip yourself with industry-specific leadership skills. Network with fellow manufacturing professionals. Improve operational efficiency, team dynamics, and overall business performance.

Refreshments Will Be Served.

Classes will be on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. with the following schedule:

Sept. 12 – Communications: Connect Through Conversations

Sept. 26 – Coaching: Moving People Forward

Oct. 10 – Setting Goals and Reviewing Results

Oct. 24 – Addressing Poor Performance

Nov. 7 – Building and Sustaining Trust

Nov. 21 – Resolving Workplace Conflict

This course is ideal for:

  • Mid-level managers: Professionals who are already in leadership roles and are looking to refine their skills.
  • Frontline supervisors: Those who are at the grassroots of operations and are responsible for immediate decision-making.
  • Aspiring supervisors: Employees looking to move up the ladder and take on more managerial roles.

Classes Are capped at 20 for this session | Cost for all six classes is $1,500 per person

For information or questions about the Leadership training please contact:

Bert Eades (276) 734.6291 bert.eades@genedge.org

Co-sponsored by: GENEDGE , Danville Community College & The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.

Registration is Closed for This Event