Laramie, WY, Sept 13, 2022 – Connecting Wyoming manufacturers and suppliers will soon be a lot easier.  The Wyoming Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Manufacturing Works, will launch a new program called CONNEX™ Wyoming Sept. 29 which is designed to strengthen the local and domestic manufacturing supply chain.

CONNEX™ Wyoming is a free online manufacturer database and connectivity platform for Wyoming manufacturers to connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities and manage their supply chains. The goal of the platform is to increase manufacturing growth among Wyoming manufacturers along with helping smaller Wyoming suppliers better connect with large U.S. manufacturers who need their services.

“Manufacturing Works is always looking for ways to help Wyoming manufacturers achieve their goals,” says Rocky Case, center director. “We see CONNEX™ Wyoming as a great resource to help our state’s manufacturers mitigate supply chain risks, become stronger and grow.”

CONNEX™ Wyoming is also supported by the Wyoming Business Council, the Wyoming Innovation Partnership and the University of Wyoming.

“For manufacturers, the pandemic demonstrated just how vulnerable supply chains are. Many manufacturers are now searching for ways to domestically or locally develop supply chains to protect their operations from additional supply chain disruptions.  We hope that Wyoming manufacturers will be a part of the CONNEX™ Wyoming program, which can help solve some of these problems,” says Ron Gullberg of the Wyoming Business Council.

To help manufacturers develop more reliable supply chains and find alternate suppliers, the CONNEX Wyoming platform will help manufacturers identify potential suppliers within the state based on their capabilities, not just current production. Results can then be filtered using hundreds of unique criteria such as equipment, processes, materials and certifications to meet a manufacturer’s specific needs.

In addition, disruptions to existing supply chains have resulted in shortages of materials and inputs to manufacturing processes, which are hampering productivity and profitability of Wyoming manufacturers.  CONNEX Wyoming will offer manufacturers the ability to post RFIs and RFQs for such items in the platform’s B2B Exchange Center to which qualified suppliers may directly respond to the posts with their capabilities and availability.  These platform features will help Wyoming manufacturers quickly find the materials and inputs they need to meet their productivity and profitability objectives, while improving supply chain robustness for downstream manufacturers as well.

The CONNEX Marketplace technology was developed several years ago by i5 Services to connect the U.S. manufacturing supply chain. It’s now being used by manufacturers and suppliers across the country to connect with one another and find new business opportunities.  Wyoming is the ninth state to roll out the CONNEX Marketplace™ platform, joining Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, the West Texas region and Utah. In each state, the platform is managed by the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to provide a coordinated approach to outreach and direction for users.  Manufacturing Works is Wyoming’s MEP.

“We are thrilled to have Wyoming Manufacturing Works lead the way to implement and support CONNEX Wyoming,” says Alan Davis, president and CEO of i5 Services. “It’s a sign of their strong leadership and commitment to the Wyoming manufacturing industry, which is one of the pillars of the Wyoming economy.”

Free registration for Wyoming manufacturers and suppliers will begin Sept. 29 when the platform officially launches. The governor’s office will host a kickoff event that day at L&H Manufacturing in Sheridan. Both the CEO of L&H, Mike Wandler, and Gov. Mark Gordon will be speaking at the event and provide more information about the platform and how it will benefit Wyoming manufacturers.

To learn more about CONNEX Wyoming, and how to sign up for a free subscription after the platform launches, visit: www. https://manufacturing-works.com/connex-wyoming/ or contact Rocky Case at rcase@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-4812.

About Manufacturing Works

Manufacturing Works, a part of the Business Resource Network at the University of Wyoming, is a member of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network™. The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing. It’s focused on helping small and medium sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology driven economy.

https://manufacturing-works.com/

About CONNEX Marketplace by i5 Services

Founded in 2009, CONNEX Marketplace is a SaaS platform that connects U.S. manufacturers, suppliers and buyers into a single, accurate, searchable supply-chain database based on deep data such as equipment, certifications, capabilities and more. Manufacturers and suppliers can quickly post and respond to needs, visualize supply chain risk, search for qualified suppliers and instantly discover new business opportunities. Through CONNEX Marketplace, we strive to connect local manufacturers and suppliers, strengthen and grow a resilient local and domestic supply chain, provide an easy path to source local first, create value for manufacturers by connecting them with buyers, suppliers, workforce providers, R&D opportunities, and capital, eliminate manufacturing barriers and help create sustainable and meaningful manufacturing jobs throughout the world. For more information, visit www.ConnexMarketplace.com