CESMII: Conrad Leiva
Smart manufacturing isn’t just for large corporations anymore. In this episode, Conrad Leiva of CESMII explains how small and mid-sized manufacturers can leverage affordable digital technologies, build a strong data foundation, and prepare their workforce for the future
View photos from the April 14-15, 2026 Conference at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC
Best Practice for Growing Manufacturing in North Carolina
Essentials for Success in Industry 4.0
A joint publication of the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership at NC State University.
North Carolina is America’s Top State for Business in 2025, led by a strong workforce and economy
The Tar Heel State is on a roll. It captured top honors in the annual CNBC rankings in 2022 and 2023, and it was runner-up in 2021 and 2024 — missing the top spot last year by just three points to Virginia, which slips this year to its lowest position among states since 2018.
Smart Manufacturing Adoption
in North Carolina
Learn more about this federally funded program to assist small to medium-sized manufacturers
News
E-73: CESMII
CESMII: Conrad Leiva
Smart manufacturing isn’t just for large corporations anymore. In this episode, Conrad Leiva of CESMII explains how small and mid-sized manufacturers can leverage affordable digital technologies, build a strong data foundation, and prepare their workforce for the future
Business North Carolina Community close up: Catawba County
Jeff Neuville directs CVCC’s Manufacturing...
2026 State Manufacturing Leadership Award Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Loree Blue...
In the News
- MAGNET Featured on CBS News’ Eye on America
ASMC is excited to share that MAGNET was recently featured on CBS News’ Eye on America for its impactful workforce development efforts. The segment highlighted how manufacturing can change lives. It focused on Mary Lamar’s inspiring journey from incarceration to becoming a respected supervisor and mentor through MAGNET’s ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers program.
The story also celebrates a major milestone. Over the past three years, 3,000 individuals have launched manufacturing careers in the region through the Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership – Cuyahoga County, a model gaining national attention.
You can watch the CBS segment and, if you wish, support Mary through her recovery.
We encourage you to share this inspiring story on your social media channels. ASMC has posted it on LinkedIn please help us spread the word by resharing. #MEPMatters
- W. Duke Kimbrell Fiber Innovation Center opens at Gaston College
- Bridging North Carolina and Finland through defence innovation collaboration
- The State of Aviation report: North Carolina’s aviation industry contributes $88 billion each year to the state’s economy and supports more than 427,000 jobs statewide
- PRESS RELEASE: Manufacturing Solutions Center Offers M1 Programming Training for Stoll Flatbed Knitting Machines
- NIST in Your State
NCMEP Partner News Connection
$44M*
Cost
Savings
Cost
Savings
3,273*
Jobs Created
or Retained
Jobs Created
or Retained
$317M*
New or Retained
Sales
New or Retained
Sales
$519M*
New Client
Investments
New Client
Investments
*According to estimates reported by North Carolina manufacturing clients in a third-party survey, the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) helped manufacturers achieve the following in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
$2.6B*
Cost
Savings
Cost
Savings
108,300+*
Jobs Created
or Retained
Jobs Created
or Retained
$15B*
New or Retained
Sales
New or Retained
Sales
$5B*
New Client
Investments
New Client
Investments
*According to estimates reported by MEP Center manufacturing clients in a third-party survey, the MEP National Network helped manufacturers achieve the following in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
$879M*
North Carolina 2024 Economic Impact
North Carolina 2024 Economic Impact
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