NJMEP News: NJMEP Announces John W. Kennedy as New CEO
Morris Plains, N.J. – The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) announces John W. Kennedy, Ph.D. as its new CEO. John W. Kennedy previously served as the organization’s COO and has more than two decades of experience in the manufacturing and engineering arenas.
“I am honored to serve as NJMEP’s new CEO. Supporting New Jersey manufacturing is very important to me on both a personal and professional basis. I am a ‘Jersey Boy’ born and bred in Madison and have owned and sold two firms in the engineering and manufacturing fields. I look forward to continuing the work we have begun with our incredible staff to help New Jersey’s manufacturers become more globally competitive,” says Kennedy.
NJMEP is a not-for-profit that helps New Jersey’s manufacturers become more profitable. NJMEP’s services are geared towards helping state manufacturers increase sales, reduce costs, improve efficiencies and spur job creation. The organization is chartered by The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a network of more than 60 MEP centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Since 2000, NJMEP has helped manufacturers realize nearly $2.4 billion in value: $1.8 billion in increased and retained sales, $285 million in cost savings, $354 million in investments and 19,500 jobs created or retained.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, the organization will also release new programs and services in 2014. NJMEP will specifically aim to help manufacturers through its Pro-Action Network which is designed for progressive New Jersey manufacturers looking to embrace innovation, new technology, higher efficiencies and market expansion.
“A lot of manufacturers know NJMEP for training grant assistance and workforce development projects. While we will continue to serve in this capacity, we also want to emphasize our Pro-Action services that drive growth and profitability. There are programs such as Innovation Engineering® and ExporTech™ that help manufacturers develop new products or enter foreign markets,” explains Kennedy.
The Pro-Action Network will have three tracks: Transformation, Enterprise and Medallion. NJMEP is also planning a major advocacy campaign for New Jersey’s manufacturing community through the Pro-Action Network. This will include offerings such as an introduction to new technologies for manufacturers and classes on topics such as Lean manufacturing and ISO principles in both English and Spanish. The advocacy campaign details will be released in the near future.
Kennedy comes from a strong background in manufacturing, engineering and leadership. Prior to joining NJMEP’s management team, he served as a Corporate Senior Vice President (and President – US Market) for Cofely Services, a provider of high-end operation, maintenance, manufacturing and integration of sorting and security equipment for major airports throughout the world.
Kennedy additionally owned The Multitech Group, an Engineering design and services firm that worked with government facilities, power plants and airports. The company specialized in Material Handling Design, as well as, the development and implementation of O&M Training and Document for manufacturing/integration companies.
NJMEP’s CEO also has strong ties to the community. Kennedy currently serves on the local and national Executive Board for the Boy Scouts of America, the New Jersey Special Olympics and the Board of Directors of the Park Avenue Club Foundation which supports local charities.
Kennedy will take over the position from Bob Loderstedt, the founding CEO, who served for 17 years.
“This is a position I take on with the same pride and passion as Bob. He has been at our helm for 17 years and has had great success in supporting our 11,000+ manufacturers. We would like to thank him sincerely for his commitment to NJMEP and the manufacturing community,” adds Kennedy.
For more information about NJMEP’s services or the Pro-Action Network,visit www.njmep.org or call 973-998-9801.