By Kristen George

It’s no secret that success in business cannot be achieved by simply staying above water. To truly thrive, a business must expand its products or services, edging out the competition with unique innovations.

The S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership is helping manufacturers solve business and supply chain process problems by offering business and technology assessments, engineering expertise and lean manufacturing solutions. Now, the SCMEP has expanded to include a suite of services that will assist manufacturing companies around the state with innovation and product development from concepts to development, market launch and maintenance. 

“When it comes to innovation and growth, companies have different needs,” said Ed Maier, program manager for the SCMEP's new Innovation and Business Development services. “Some need help coming up with new ideas; others have the ideas but need help with the product development process. We can do everything from tell you how robust an idea is, evaluating its potential success within the marketplace, to assisting with lean product development, portfolio management and marketing research.”

The new services, bundled together under the name TRANSFORM, feature workshops, advice from in- and out-of-state experts and professionals, business mentoring and training programs. And because SCMEP is a nonprofit, state and federally funded organization, the costs for the programs are a fraction of what they would be through a privately owned firm.

Currently, South Carolina is the only state to offer such a comprehensive innovations suite. Maier said he is aware of other, smaller programs in other state, but added that South Carolina is truly the forerunner in offering such a complete package. TRANSFORM pulls its strategies from widely recognized innovation professionals such as EUREKA! Ranch out of Ohio and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies.

“What we do is assess where a company is and where it needs help, then we pull that company into workshops based on structured methods,” Maier said. “Then, we mentor and coach that company through generating ideas, developing products or services and then putting those products or services out into the marketplace.”

While TRANSFORM is primarily aimed at small- to mid-size manufacturers, some large manufacturers may benefit from the program as well.

“We’re truly serious about helping manufacturers in South Carolina,” Maier said. “We’re happy when a company is running efficiently, as that was and is still a big part of our mission at SCMEP, but now we need to help those companies grow. Our goal is to help companies help themselves.”

For more information on TRANSFORM, contact Maier at (864) 787-3015 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .