Success Stories

MEP Member

Manufacturing-Works

Story Title

ASMC Member Providing Hands-On Help through Manufacturing-Works

Client Profile

Brunton Company, a manufacturing institution located in Riverton, Wyoming, employs 70 people in the production of high end and high tech outdoor adventure gear such as compasses and state of the art portable solar roll-up panels for backpack application.

Situation

Brunton had outgrown its facility and could not satisfy its need to grow and to redesign the shop floor to fulfill many Lean initiatives that could be adopted in a different setting. Because of the economic focus on mineral wealth and tourism, attention to manufacturing was not particularly high in the community of Riverton, similar to elsewhere in Wyoming, precluding Brunton from staying in Wyoming. The company contacted Manufacturing-Works, a NIST MEP network affiliate for help.

Solution

Manufacturing-Works had written a twelve month contract with IDEA, Inc, the economic development agency for the city of Riverton, to provide focused manufacturing processes to economic development in Wyoming. With concentrated effort on manufacturing importance provided by the local MEP professional, grants were found and opportunities written to secure the proper funding for Brunton to be able to afford a site and a new headquarters building. Ground was broken for the new building on July 8, 2005, and Manufacturing-Works acknowledged this event as its first milestone as a new MEP center, 8 days after changing their name and establishing their new identity officially in the state.

Results

• Retained 70 employees.
• Projected hiring of 30 additional employees.
• Anticipated completion of new headquarters building in 2006.