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Press Release
Over $1 billion in impact reported by manufacturers working with the FloridaMakes network
(Cape Canaveral, Florida) JULY 24, 2019 – The FloridaMakes Board of Directors announced today that Florida manufacturers who received services through the state-wide FloridaMakes network have reported a combined total of over one billion dollars in measurable economic impacts and created or retained 6,953 manufacturing jobs since the program started delivering services in 2016.
The FloridaMakes network is an industry-led initiative operated by Florida’s Regional Manufacturers Associations in partnership with industry, research, educational, and economic development organizations, both public and private, at the state and national levels. Through Florida’s Regional Manufacturers Associations and participating partners, the network provides services that are customized to meet the needs and opportunities of individual companies.
Impact results represent data from 283 client engagements across the State and were obtained through a survey conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. On average, $3.7 million in total impact, and over 24 jobs were created or retained per firm (total survey data through Q1, 2019). The numbers break down as follows:
• Increased and retained sales: $697 million
• Total cost savings: $97.9 million
• Total investments: $249.5 million
• Jobs created and retained: 6953
“This remarkable impact demonstrates the significant strides manufacturers have taken in improving their businesses, and FloridaMakes’ dedication to helping Florida companies increase their global productivity and technological performance,” stated Maria Alfano, FloridaMakes’ Chief Operating Officer.
The network’s mission is to improve the productivity and technological performance of Florida manufacturers by accelerating technology adoption, talent development, and business growth, and to strengthen the State’s high-wage manufacturing economy.
Chairman of the FloridaMakes’ Board of Directors, Bob Provitola, stated, “This significant achievement is fantastic news for Florida manufacturers and the State. The FloridaMakes network, leveraging their collective capabilities, has measurably and substantially improved the competitiveness of firms across the State, creating a positive impact on our State’s economy. The network’s business advisory services have led to many success stories where Florida manufacturers addressed current challenges and improved their effectiveness and resiliency.”
Custom Metal Designs, Oakland, Florida, a leading provider of container handling systems and a source for laser cutting services, custom conveyor systems, custom metal products, and prototyping, received services from the FloridaMakes network.
“The ISO 9001:2015 training assistance provided by the FloridaMakes network shortened our learning curve on the Quality Standard, and this led to our timely certification. Their help was extremely important for the continued growth and success of our company. Since working with the FloridaMakes Business Advisor we have increased our annual revenue by $1.8 million, and added over 20 new positions, increasing our workforce by 30% in less than 18 months,” stated Ray Aguerrevere, Vice President, Custom Metal Designs.
The FloridaMakes network provides services through business advisors that help companies address current challenges, create new opportunities for growth, and achieve measurable results. To learn how we can unlock growth opportunities and cost savings for manufacturers, contact the FloridaMakes network through your regional manufacturers association. For a listing visit:https://www.floridamakes.com/who-we-are/regional-manufacturers-associations.stml
About FloridaMakes
The FloridaMakes network is a state-wide, industry-led initiative operated by an alliance of Florida's Regional Manufacturers Associations with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principle value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth.
The FloridaMakes network is the official representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, which is operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for the State of Florida. More information on the FloridaMakes network is available at www.floridamakes.com. More information about the MEP National Network is available atwww.nist.gov/mep.
