Who We Are
About Us
TechHelp Idaho Manufacturing Specialists help Idaho manufacturers, food processors and entrepreneurs/inventors improve their competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation. Our consultants provide services statewide from our university-based offices in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alane. Additionally, our services fall into three primary areas of practice that include:
- Food Manufacturing Excellence – We bring a broad range of services to the food industry through site visits, needs assessments, on-site project work, on-site training, and public courses. As a result, Food Manufacturing Specialists offer a wide range of services that can help food processors grow revenues, improve productivity and performance, and strengthen their global competitiveness.
- Operational Excellence – Our Operational Excellence Team can help manufacturers produce products more efficiently and with higher quality. Our team of trusted advisors has experience in all phases of manufacturing and can help you make key operational improvements in Leadership, Lean Six Sigma, Quality, and more.
- studio\Blu – studio\Blu partners with Idaho manufacturers to mentor Boise State students in using their skills to move real-world projects from concept through designing, prototyping, testing, initial manufacturing, funding, and marketing.
We are a partnership of Idaho’s three state universities. This partnership gives Idaho companies statewide access to our manufacturing specialists, university facilities, students, and faculty that can help meet their needs.
As a part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), we give Idaho companies access to the knowledge and expertise of a national network of 1,500 manufacturing experts at 50 centers.
As Idaho’s Economic Development Administration University Center, we leverage university resources to create growth and jobs in rural and economically distressed areas of Idaho.
We give our clients access to a large network of local and national resources through our university, private sector, and national Manufacturing Extension Partnership partners.
Our Mission
- To strengthen the competitiveness of Idaho Manufacturers through product and process innovation
Our Vision
- Be the catalyst for strengthening Idaho Manufacturing
Our Values
- We are trusted advisors who operate by: Customer Focus, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Integrity, Innovation, Respect, Relationships, and Results-Oriented.
Our Goals
- GROW Idaho Small and Medium Size Manufacturing Businesses
- Through Training, Technical Assistance
- GROW Partnerships
- Maximize collaboration with those in the Idaho manufacturing ecosystem
- GROW TechHelp Team
- For all members, in terms of technical excellence and professional growth
About National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership program is a federal public-private partnership that provides small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) technology-based services they need to thrive in today’s economy and create well-paying manufacturing jobs. MEP is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and implemented through a network of industry-led centers located in every state. Additionally, Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers are not-for-profit corporations that employ industry experts who work directly with manufacturers. Manufacturing is one of our country’s greatest economic strengths, producing 11.7 percent of GDP. Over 99 percent of manufacturing firms in America are considered small, with less than 500 employees.