The Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA) is one of the five affiliates of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
The mission of the DMA is to:

• Enhance the competitiveness of Delaware manufacturers
• Serve as manufacturing’s advocate at the state and local government level
• Advise the State Chamber on topics that specifically impact manufacturers such as government regulation, trade and tax policy
• Sponsor educational programs and networking events focused on the needs of manufacturers and assist manufacturers to be more competitive in the global economy

MAKE It! Manufacturing Camp is one example of DMA’s educational programs
In July 2001, the DMA inaugurated the MAKE It! Manufacturing Camp, which exposed rising ninth graders to manufacturing in a way that enabled learning to take place in a fun, hands-on environment. The program was so successful, that it has since expanded to Sussex County.

Campers have seen the robotic assembly line in action at DaimlerChrysler’s Durango assembly line, tested W.L. Gore & Associates’ products in the company’s “rain room,” and toured Rodel Inc. At Delaware Technical & Community College’s Stanton Campus, they gain exposure to computer-aided drafting software and designed and execute a project in an advanced manufacturing process lab. Classroom instruction includes science and math methods that are in line with Delaware’s education standards.

The MAKE It! Manufacturing Camp is the first program of its kind in the mid-Atlantic region. The camp is the result of a cooperative venture between the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware Manufacturing Association, the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP) and Delaware Technical and Community College.

The Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP) is a partnership created among the U.S. Department of Commerce, Delaware Technical and Community College, the State Economic Development Office and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce to serve the competitive needs of smaller manufacturers in Delaware.

• The Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership keeps Delaware manufacturers competitive by providing professional hands-on assistance and expert consultation.
• One of DEMEP’s core services involves helping small to medium sized manufacturers to identify, transfer and implement best practices and technology in order to operate more efficiently and effectively.
• DEMEP offers world class training programs in the following key areas: Lean Manufacturing, Quality Management Systems and eBusiness, and develops specialized programs as needed.

Call (302) 283-3131 or visit DEMEP’s web site at www.demep.org for more information.