MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
New NJMEP CEO Targets South Jersey Manufacturers
By Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
When Peter Connolly became the new CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program ( NJMEP ) his mantra was “ don ’ t mess it up .”
Connolly , a former NJMEP board chairman with decades of industry experience , took over the reins in July . He succeeded John W . Kennedy , who is credited with dramatically expanding the organization ’ s reach and influence during his 11-year tenure . Connolly has called Kennedy an “ NJMEP legend .”
The NJMEP is a unique industry organization . It is designed to partner with the Garden State ’ s more than 11,000 manufacturing companies to provide training / education courses and consultative services . Its mission is to help companies work smarter and become more competitive and efficient . While the private , not-for-profit organization receives federal and state support , the bulk of its revenue is derived from contracts with individual manufacturers that benefit from their services .
Under Kennedy ’ s leadership the organization also instituted regular conferences on the “ State of Manufacturing ” and developed the largest annual manufacturing networking event on the east coast , ‘ MADE in NJ ’ Manufacturing Day and collaborated with business groups , including the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey . The collaboration led to the creation of a bi-partisan manufacturing caucus that operates in both houses of the state legislature . It focuses on manufacturers ’ challenges and tries to find ways to solve them .
The new CEO is proud of the relationships NJMEP has made across the state . “ My playbook is to keep that going ,” Connolly said . But don ’ t be mistaken , he has plans too .
While NJMEP is available to manufacturers across the state , Connolly believes companies in South Jersey have been underserved . He is directing his new team to target manufacturers in the southern reaches , especially Atlantic , Camden , Cape May , Cumberland and Salem counties . “ This is going to be a long-term effort ,” the new CEO said .
Last month NJMEP hosted the South Jersey Manufacturing Revitalization Summit in collaboration with Rowan University of Southern New Jersey as one of the first strategic move to better serve the area . NJMEP will have a true presence in the south . Their Bellmawr office in Camden County – an historic manufacturing hub . It will be a foothold to support local manufacturers who are are excited to create an even larger presence . The organization ’ s headquarters will remain in Cedar Knolls but Connolly said they are expanding their space to accommodate new services they will be providing in-house .
The CEO said the food manufacturing industry has a large presence in South Jersey and with the emergence of wind energy along the coast it makes sense to locate a satellite office .
Connolly has an affinity for South Jersey , since he grew up outside of Trenton and earned his degree from Glassboro State College located in Glassboro . It ’ s the same school with which NJMEP is now partnering . But its name was changed to Rowan in 1992 in a tribute to industrialist Henry Rowan and his wife Betty , who became its biggest benefactors with a $ 100 million donation .
Fresh from college , Connolly began his career at DRS Technologies , a defense contractor , that grew from a 100-employee firm , generating $ 16 million in revenues to a $ 4.5 billion operation employing 10,000 workers . During his three decades there , Connolly wore many hats as he moved up the corporate ladder from operations analyst , proposal manager , program manager to business development .
Later in his career he worked at Telephonics in Farmingdale and Alion Science and Tech nology in Mount Ar ling ton and went onto be president of ShockTech Inc . in Mahwah . Connolly joined the board of NJMEP in 2010 and rose to chairman four years later .
When Kennedy revealed he wanted
SALEM 85
GLOUCESTER 420 to retire , the board began a search for a new CEO . Ultimately , the members decided , however , that the best candidate was already in their midst . Connolly was flattered by their trust . “ I was deeply involved with manufacturing . It had been in my blood since I was at DRS . I decided it was the right thing ,” he said .
He is enjoying his role tremendously . One of his new projects stemmed from a federal contract NJMEP was awarded to train veterans for jobs in manufacturing as they leave the military . NJMEP also received federal funding to create a supplier data base . The information will be connected to a nationwide network of data to ease supply chain issues .
Training will continue to be priority also . While NJMEP operates training facilities in the north and south , Connolly said it is now outfitting an RV with 3D printers , CNC machines and
WARREN 238
HUNTERDON 332
CUMBERLAND 244
CAMDEN 793
SUSSEX 277
MERCER 881
BURLINGTON 825
ATLANTIC 388
CAPE MAY 165
MORRIS 1,467
SOMERSET 908
PASSAIC 969
ESSEX 1,255
UNION 1,063
BERGEN 2,274
MIDDLESEX 1,875
MONMOUTH 1,261
OCEAN 733
Total Firms 85 - 280
HUDSON 717
281 - 560 561 - 840 841 - 1,200 1,200 +
Manufacturers ' size and location as provided by NJMEP reports .
other equipment to make it a mobile training unit . Connolly has plans to bring the RV to high schools and county colleges to spark students ’ appreciation and interest in manufacturing .
As he settles into his new role , Connolly said he has driven from Atlantic City to Sussex and back again , meeting with manufacturers . “ The best part is talking to manufacturers and seeing how we can help .”
September 2023 COMMERCE 21