Partners and Sponsors

Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence has sponsors and supporters who have provided valuable input into our goals, objectives, and activities.

We appreciate all past, current, and future collaborations and support.

Thank you for the continued support!
  • GOLD SPONSOR

    The MPMA has been a leader in the state of Minnesota for the past 65 years in the precision manufacturing industry.

    We are dedicated to “drive success in Minnesota precision manufacturing by strengthening the skilled workforce,” by: being a leader in the conversations about enhancing workforce development; taking an active role in legislative changes that impact manufacturers and to have a positive impact on the image and importance of manufacturing; and by improving business for our members by being a resource for workforce training.

  • GOLD SPONSOR

    Tri-State Manufacturers’ Association is a membership organization serving west central Minnesota and eastern North Dakota and South Dakota.  Member capacity ranges from welding to machining, turning to grinding, plating to engineering, and more.

  • SILVER SPONSOR

    The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the state’s principal economic development agency. DEED programs promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention; international trade; workforce development; and community development.

  • SILVER SPONSOR

    West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation that serves nine counties in west central Minnesota: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. WCI invests and helps leverage resources in our communities for regional success; and success for WCI means thriving families, communities and businesses–it’s all inter-related! WCI works with many partners, using the tools of economic development, community development and promoting philanthropy to help people and communities create a better tomorrow for west central Minnesota.

  • SILVER SPONSOR

    Midwest Manufacturers’ Association is a nonprofit organization created to serve as the “central office” for associations and trade groups focused on manufacturing. MMA’s primary service region is the Upper Midwest: rural Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

  • BRONZE SPONSOR

    Pro Staff is a professional staffing and recruiting firm specializing in administrative and light industrial careers. We offer 35 years of experience and an enviable network of connections for employers and job seekers. A member of the family of brands, we are a respected leader in staffing and recruiting. Our national network of 31 branches with 250+ employees has connected 800,000 talent since 1982.

  • BRONZE SPONSOR

    Ware Technology Services recruits engineers.Since the company’s founding in Minneapolis, on September 30, 1982, Atterro Human Capital Group has been committed to nurturing our talent with the same enthusiasm we bring to serving employers. We are in business for people.

  • EVENT SPONSOR

    Construction Specialties Inc. serves the upper Midwest, building and maintaining telescopic bleachers and outdoor stadiums. We are certified by Interkal Bleacher Systems in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

  • EVENT SPONSOR

    IPM is a contract manufacturing business, specializing in the production of power train components and is located in Waite Park, MN. The company specializes in turning, milling, gear cutting, grinding and assembly work, utilizing some of the most up to date CNC equipment available. IPM opened its doors in 1992 and currently has about 40 employees, operating out of 32,000 sq. ft. The industries IPM produces products for are; off-highway, construction equipment, recreational vehicle, military, agriculture, fluid power along with others.

  • BTD provides a complete spectrum of custom metalwork services to some of the world’s top brands. These services include metal fabrication, forming, welding, tool & die work, machining, powder coating, prototyping, laser cutting, robotic welding, stamping, cutting, tubing, CNC, EDM and much more.

  • The Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) exists for the primary purpose of contributing to the growth and success of manufacturers.

  • Central Boiler is a manufacturer of outdoor wood furnaces.

    The Brand that Delivers More than Warmth
    Central Boiler has always been the leading name in safe, comfortable and efficient wood heat. Today, we’re pushing the traditionally accepted notions of heating with wood to new limits by introducing systems that are cleaner and more efficient than ever before. Innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies highlight these systems that give you peace of mind from anywhere in the world, or actually teach you how to operate your furnace most efficiently.

  • Central McGowan provides everything from gases for welding, manufacturing, medical and restaurants/pubs to dry ice to quality equipment, tools, supplies and abrasives to custom automation and robotic technologies and solutions.

  • Since 1898, Coldspring has served the architectural, memorial, residential and industrial markets with all types of natural stone, bronze, and industrial and diamond-tooling products.  With headquarters, a primary manufacturing facility and bronze foundry in Cold Spring, Minn., the company has 900 employees at operations across the country, including 30 quarries and four additional fabrication facilities. In 2016, the company’s headquarters, primary manufacturing operations and three Minnesota-based quarries received ANSI/NSC 373 Sustainable Production of Natural Dimension Stone certification. Coldspring’s in-house services and support such as drafting, design, BIM, and project and construction management contribute to creating unique customer solutions.

  • Headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, USA, Digi-Key is one of the fastest growing distributors of electronic components in the world. Founded in 1972, Digi-Key was a pioneer in the mail-order catalog business and a key resource for design engineers. Today Digi-Key offers the world’s largest selection of electronic components in stock and available for immediate shipment. From prototype to production, we are here to fuel innovation all over the world.

  • Our services are provided by engineers and technicians with specialized expertise, using updated laboratory equipment to analyze and test materials of all sizes, purposes and conditions – from tiny, nearly unrecognizable bolts involved in accidents to aviation components under consideration for use.

    We analyze a wide variety of materials, from steel alloys to iron, aluminum and copper-based castings and super alloys, plus plastics, cermets and others.

  • GNP Company (Gold’n Plump) is a provider of premium branded and custom chicken products to retail, deli and food service customers nationally. Founded by E.M. Helgeson in 1926 and purchased in 2013 by Maschhoff Family Foods, GNP Company remains family-owned. It distributes products under the Just BARE®, Gold’n Plump® and Sunny Roost® brand names. Together, the company’s nearly 1,700 team members and about 350 family farm partners in Minnesota and Wisconsin bring millions of wholesome, high-quality chicken meals to American families.

  • Provides educational and training equipment for K-12 students, colleges and universities, and industry employers and employees.

  • Mars was founded in 1924 as the W.P. & R.S. Mars Company. It’s mission at the time was to service the emerging iron mining and timber industries in Northern Minnesota. Mars Supply now has four locations, with the acquisition of the Walter R. Hammond Co. and the addition of a satellite branch in Winona. With this expanded footprint, the company is poised to serve the region with large local inventories, valued services and experienced employees. When you contact us, we think you will appreciate our “can do” attitude and our passion for getting what you need, when you need it.

  • Nexen is the leading source of linear motion control products, with a highly trained service department. We are dedicated to customer and technical support. Please submit your contact information and we will get back to you. We are headquartered in Vadnais Heights, MN, with our manufacturing facility located in Webster, WI. Nexen products can be found through worldwide sales and distributor outlets.

  • Padilla builds, grows and protects strong brands by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most. We’re 210 invested employees, in six offices across the country. We’re client partners, strategists, writers, visual storytellers, media insiders and much, much more.

  • From a steadfast dedication to quality, customer service, and innovative technology, Park Industries® began providing full-service solutions to the stone industry in 1953. Today, they’ve grown to become North America’s largest stoneworking equipment manufacturer and have expanded our precision solutions into the metal cutting industry.

  • Pequot Tool & Manufacturing is a machining and fabrication leader located in the heart of Lake Country in Pequot Lakes, MN. We provide innovative solutions to our customers’ diverse needs by producing high-quality component parts and complete assemblies.

  • The Performance Excellence Network is a non-profit, membership-driven organization serving Minnesota and the Dakotas.

    Mission
    PEN advances improvement and performance excellence. We identify strengths and improvement opportunities and build networks that bring information, resources, knowledge, and best practices to organizations, individuals, and communities desiring to improve.

  • Permac Industries custom manufactures precision parts for customers worldwide in virtually all industries including: Aerospace, Industrial High-Reliability, Food and Beverage, Defense, Medical, On and Off Road Vehicles, Transportation.

  • Since 1968, metalworking machine supplier Productivity, Inc. has offered superior quality products and unmatched customer service to businesses in the manufacturing industry. For more than 50 years, we’ve been a catalyst for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) advancements in the Midwest machine tool industry with strong ties to local community and technical colleges as well as machine tool associations.

  • RMCEP helps people find jobs or get the training they need to find the job they want.  If they are undecided, we have career exploration and planning activities. RMCEP is a private non-profit WorkForce Center partner that is located in eight WorkForce Centers.

  • UMC is a proud American company working to establish ourselves as true innovators and thought-leaders operating on the cutting edge of our industry. We are a passionate team of experts producing highly complex parts. For us, it’s all about the people behind the products.

  • Viracon is your only single-source resource for innovative products, reliable service, valuable advice and technical expertise.

  • Founded in August 2007, VisualEdge Robotics is one of the largest VEX Robotics resellers in the United States and Minnesota’s official reseller. A development and education partner with VEX Robotics, VisualEdge (VE) sells almost exclusively to the education market in 11 states and has established itself as a leader and partner for the schools it services. VE is a company of educational and technical professionals, led by a team of seasoned robot designers and builders with over 40 combined years in competitive robotics. We are committed to promoting robotics education as an avenue of learning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) beyond what is typically found in the traditional classroom.

  • Wilson Tool provides the most comprehensive line of tooling systems and accessories for the Tableting, Stamping, Bending, and Punching industries. As the world’s largest and only tooling provider to manufacture tooling solutions for these five industries, Wilson Tool is uniquely positioned to offer the most comprehensive and unique tooling solutions to help customers resolve their most challenging fabrication issues.

  • Wyoming Machine, Inc. is a woman-owned family business. Our clients represent the diversity of metal fabrication requirements – from medical equipment to retail store fixtures, to heavy machinery manufacturers. Wyoming Machine operates with 56 employees in a 55,000-square-foot facility.

Mid adult female engineers working on robotic arm development

Grants and Funds

The Minnesota Manufactured receives funding from the following sources:

  1. Learn more about the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence.
  2. The National Science Foundation Advanced Technical Education (NSF ATE) program under award number 1600927. You can learn more about the NSF ATE program at ATE Central.