Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Oklahoma manufacturers succeed!

To survive in today's marketplace, smaller manufacturers must embrace new ideas. Keeping that competitive edge requires constant growth and improvement.

That's where the Manufacturing Alliance comes in.

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation that helps small- and medium-sized Oklahoma manufacturers become progressively more successful in their marketplace. OCAST is proud to sponsor this premier manufacturing assistance organization. A private, not-for-profit corporation, the Manufacturing Alliance uses state, federal and local funding to provide hands-on assistance.

Manufacturing is vital to Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance establishes a valuable partnership among small and large manufacturers, business leaders, education and government to share ideas, explore resources and work together to advance manufacturing in the state. 

Smaller manufacturers: The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance delivers much-needed hands-on services – everything from educational programs, trade leads and data analysis to assistance in taking the first step toward achieving certifications for manufacturing excellence.

Larger firms: The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance plays a vital role by serving as a forum to meet and discuss common problems and opportunities and by creating a constantly improving local supplier base that boosts the companies' quality and dependability.

But perhaps the most valuable benefit of the Manufacturing Alliance is its statewide network of Manufacturing Extension Agents who help manufacturers in their region become more productive and competitive. Oklahoma's small and medium-sized manufacturers must stay competitive to survive. To this end, the Manufacturing Alliance is committed to helping companies implement change in five crucial areas:

• Technology: using advanced materials, equipment and processes to modernize and meet global standards.
• Marketing: spreading manufacturers' messages and capabilities to new local, national and global markets using research, analysis and planning, brochures and trade shows.
• Human Resources: reorganizing work to improve effectiveness and develop new occupational technical and problem-solving skills for managers, office staff and front-line production workers.
• Finances: financial planning and securing financing for training, technology and market expansion.
• Inter-firm Collaboration:managing relationships to create market opportunities and expanding production capabilities and learning systems.

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance also provides "Lean Manufacturing" support and training. A Lean Enterprise produces more with existing resources by eliminating non-value added activities. Manufacturers work to eliminate overproduction caused by traditional scheduling systems, only making what customers want when they want it. Lean establishes a systematic approach to eliminating waste and creating flow throughout the whole company. It also creates a long-term plan to streamline operations for success.

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance is an affiliate of the nationwide Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and has been cited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as "Best Practice" among MEP organizations. 

For more information, contact:
Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
525 South Main Street, Suite 210
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-592-0722
Fax: 918-592-1417
www.okalliance.com