NJMEP is a statewide organization that provides technical help and hands-on business assistance to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Robert Loderstedt, President and Chief Executive Officer of NJMEP said the impact is especially significant because of economic challenges faced over the past year. The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership. New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. has assisted more than 850 manufacturers with 1,450 projects in over 5 years! New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP), a not-for-profit organization, provides small and medium-sized manufacturers with access to technology and business management tools. The program, which was modeled on the Agriculture Extension Program, utilizes Field Agents assigned by county to enhance a manufacturer's ability to take advantage of New Jersey Manufacturing Program's network of academic and private resources. New Jersey's MEP has been in existence for over five years, however the program has been in place nationally since 1988 and boasts a total of 75 centers across the country with at least one in every state. NJMEP has provided help to over 800 New Jersey manufacturers with industrial modernization or business management experience since its inception. Services include: Strategic Planning; Lean Manufacturing; Developing Product Prototypes; and Sales and Marketing Programs.