Greg will show you how to create a culture of continuous improvement by engaging your people. Learn how quick wins and Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles can help you overcome common CI challenges. If you've implemented basic lean concepts but need to get to the next level, this workshop is for you.
Thanks to PCL Construction and Redpath and Company for their support of this workshop.
CI expert Greg Hunsaker will offer techniques to engage employees as part of your continuous improvement journey, at PCL Construction in Edina.
12/15/2025
In both our State of Manufacturing® survey and at related events around Minnesota, manufacturers continue to express concerns about ongoing workforce challenges. These challenges persist from year to year, regardless of business strength or the state of the economy. https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/tackling-the-talent-challenge/
Talent and leadership expert Abbey Hellickson shows how companies can turn workforce challenges into opportunities.
“Business strategy is where it all starts. And who executes your business strategy? Your people do,” Hellickson says. She adds that organizations that excel at managing and developing their talent outperform competitors by a significant margin.
Read about how you can avoid mismatches in employee skills and organizational needs in this week's Weekly Report.
12/09/2025
Is your ISO9001:2015 certification helping you achieve operational excellence? Join Keith Gadacz on Dec. 17 to learn how to take full advantage of this valuable certification. Register: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/event/iso-dec-17-2025/
At this workshop, Keith will demonstrate how the components of ISO 9001 work together as a tool to manage your critical business process flows. Not just a checklist, not just a certificate on the wall - a complete system for making your company the best it can be.
This is for any manufacturer who is interested in ISO certification or who wants to better understand their certification as a business improvement system. This workshop is a great primer for employees new to ISO or preparing for audits.
Thanks to Br8kthru Consulting for their support of this workshop.
12/08/2025
Enterprise Minnesota’s peer councils give manufacturing leaders a forum to share insights, seek advice, and expand their networks.
Many members describe their peer council as functioning like an advisory board—one where participants can openly discuss sensitive issues they may not be able to raise inside their own organizations.
These monthly sessions blend structured learning, discussion, and informal networking. Members explore specific topics, hear from guest experts, tour facilities, and share ongoing challenges. Groups are kept small and are carefully curated to avoid competitive conflicts and ensure members share common roles and responsibilities. This structure allows discussions to reach deeper levels, as participants feel comfortable sharing company-specific details. Some councils include multiple generations from the same companies, building continuity and collective understanding over time.
The overall tone of the State of Manufacturing® 2025 results are measured optimism, but uncertainty regarding the state's legislative and regulatory environment continues to serve as a drag on long-term confidence.
Enjoy outstanding networking, industry insights, and a celebration of this critical industry. Open to all!
Thanks to Northwest Minnesota Foundation for their support of this event.
Minnesota's trusted manufacturing advisors. Our expert consultants are here to help your business increase revenue, eliminate waste and grow profitability.
The SBA aims to cut $100 billion in regulatory costs for small businesses. Geoff Grove and Andrew Coffield of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy say so far in 2025 they’ve reduced that burden by about $48 billion.
As they continue working toward their target, SBA officials will work at the federal level – and weigh in with state legislatures – to rightsize regulations for smaller companies. “Small firms are shouldering a regulatory load designed with larger businesses in mind, and the cumulative impact is a real threat to innovation, growth, and even basic survival for some businesses,” Grove says.
Read about ways to connect with the SBA Office of Advocacy to help them understand how regulations impact your business.
On the cover: The results and analysis of our 17th annual State of Manufacturing® survey showing deep and persistent concerns about growing regulatory burdens and taxes.
This quarter, we highlight the leaders and innovators in Minnesota's manufacturing industry, including WINCO Generators, FMS Corporation, and Absolute Air who are adapting to the needs of today's markets with an eye to the future. Read about Minnesota's new Paid Family Medical Leave law coming into effect and get to know Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's new president Benya Kraus in our Four Questions feature.
11/20/2025
The State of Manufacturing® is travelling to Moorhead! Join Bob Kill for a regional event sponsored by West Central Initiative. Our visit is an opportunity to network with manufacturers and partner industries to discuss the trends and outlook facing manufacturing.
Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4oWZxxt
Discover the latest industry insights, make valuable connections, and celebrate as we take the results of the 2025 State of Manufacturing® survey to Redwood Falls with the help of Southwest Initiative Foundation.
Following the SOM results, Enterprise Minnesota continuous improvement expert Ryan Steinert will give a brief presentation on the role of automation and AI in today’s industrial workforce. Hear about opportunities and insights on the cutting edge of these emerging technologies and how business leaders can think about their own organizations.
11/05/2025
Opening Day! Today at 3 pm we reveal what our 2025 State of Manufacturing® survey has to say about Minnesota manufacturing. Register: https://bit.ly/4oiqZ8W
Join us at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest. Open to all supporters of manufacturing.
Thanks to our Platinum Sponsors for their support of manufacturing and the SOM: FMJ Law, Granite Partners, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Bremer Bank, a division of Old National Bank, Olsen Thielen CPAs, PROduction Workforce Professionals, Productivity Inc, Ramp, and Widseth
10/27/2025
Minnesota manufacturers know that change is constant, but lately it feels relentless. From new waves of government regulation to shifting tariff landscapes and tightening supply chains, the challenges seem to multiply daily. That’s why this year’s State of Manufacturing® survey release event on November 5 is more important than ever.
Read more: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/the-results-are-in/
10/13/2025
A proven framework for employee retention, leadership development, and continuous improvement thinking? Yes, please! Join expert Ally Johnston on Oct. 22 in Duluth for Leading Daily for Results. Register: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/event/leading-daily-oct-22-2025/
Key takeaways include:
• How to foster a culture of continuous improvement and proactive decision making
• Engaging employees in the management process to drive new ideas and ownership of their work
• Building daily communication into management to drive accountability and solution-focused activities
Thanks to Lake One, Marsh McLennan Agency, and PROduction Workforce Professionals for their support of this workshop.
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Enterprise Minnesota is an ISO 9001:2015 certified consulting organization that works with small and medium-sized manufacturing companies to help them compete and grow profitably. For over 30 years, we’ve been helping manufacturers throughout Minnesota achieve sustainable profits and growth through our service areas of strategy, talent/leadership, continuous improvement, management systems, and manufacturing peer councils. Our expert advisors cover all corners of the state. No matter where you’re located, Enterprise Minnesota has a local manufacturing expert ready to work with you. Find your Advisor.
Enterprise Minnesota also serves as the “voice” of Minnesota’s manufacturing industry and is at the center of an important and diverse coalition of interests that all support manufacturing. We work with colleges and universities, business industry “thought leaders,” economic development entities, policymakers, and granting organizations to help raise the profile of manufacturing as a key driver of Minnesota’s economy.
Our signature initiative each year is the State of Manufacturing® Survey, the most comprehensive survey of Minnesota’s manufacturing economy. It reveals the perceptions and opinions of manufacturing executives and key stakeholders on issues impacting business. Now in its 12th year, the State of Manufacturing® survey provides depth and context to the economic outlook for Minnesota’s manufacturing industry.
Enterprise Minnesota is part of the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). A network of organizations nationwide chartered to help small- to medium-size manufacturers compete and grow. This network enables us to leverage services and resources that contribute to our clients’ success.
To learn more about how we help Minnesota manufacturers, visit www.enterpriseminnesota.org and click on our Consulting Services page. We also invite you to subscribe to Enterprise Minnesota magazine (it’s free!) and The Weekly Report newsletter to stay up to date on the latest information and trends in Minnesota manufacturing.
