Feds refocus grants to aid cutting-edge firms – Manufacturing Extension Partnership

The rising price of oil explains why Matt Clementz sought federally subsidized consulting help for his family-owned manufacturing firm that turns a petroleum-based goop into bathroom countertops and shower stalls in San Leandro.

Behind the showroom at Cultured Marble Products, about 50 workers, averaging $12 an hour plus some health benefits, pour stinky goop into molds, run it through a hardening and drying process, and polish it into a product that falls somewhere between laminates like Formica and real stone in cost, durability and visual appeal.

"We’ve seen our raw material prices more than double," Clementz said during a plant tour.

To help his tiny company survive, Clementz turned to a 20-year-old federal program called the Manufacturing Extension Partnership http://www.mep.nist.gov/

Tom Abate, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/11/BUONVHBLM.DTL

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In Montana: Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

Serving firms statewide. Affiliated with Montana State University.

Phone: 406-994-3812
Fax: 406-994-3391
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com

In other states: http://www.mep.nist.gov/centers-near-you/index.htm