PLYMOUTH – The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center has announced it has become the sixth state to join CONNEX, designed to strengthen the local and domestic manufacturing supply chain in Industry 4.0.
Michigan joins Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Utah. In each state, the platform is managed by an MEP center to provide a coordinated approach to outreach and direction for users.
CONNEX Michigan is a powerful online manufacturer database and connectivity platform provided as a no-cost resource for Michigan manufacturers. It’s designed to let manufacturers connect with each other, find local and domestic suppliers, explore production capabilities, and manage their supply chain. The system also has tools to help manufacturers identify single supplier risks and find opportunities for diversification in their supply chain.
“The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is a part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, and our mission is to assist Michigan manufacturers to work smarter, to compete and to prosper. Being able to provide our state’s manufacturers with an online platform that can alleviate their supply chain strains is something The Center is extremely proud of and excited about,” said Mike Coast, President of The Center.
The rollout also is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which uses The Center for supplier scouting and matchmaking requests as part of its Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) program. CONNEX Michigan will enable The Center to more efficiently fulfill these requests.
Coast further described the CONNEX Michigan system as a powerful, intuitive tool for everyone in the manufacturing community. “This online database combines all Michigan manufacturers into a single platform where they can tag themselves with hundreds of unique searchable categorizations, which enables both manufacturers and material suppliers to quickly find and connect with each other based on their exact needs,” Coast said. “It’s an opportunity that manufacturers can’t afford to miss. Each manufacturer is invited to set up their free profile and share as much information as they would like.”
Interested manufacturers can find more information and request an account by visiting: https://www.the-center.org/CONNEX.
