Leading Edge R&D Resources at Your Fingertips
Whether you need help integrating new technology or are interested in locating or developing new technology to move your business forward, Polaris MEP can help.
Polaris MEP provides hands-on technical and business assistance and functions as an extension of your staff, helping you to maximize your capabilities.
Through our partnership with URI and a variety of academic, public and private resources, we help you grow your business by injecting technological advances, product innovations, and process improvements that deliver high value and keep you globally competitive.
Innovation has been the driving force for many of the fantastic products made in Rhode Island. Composites heading for space, textiles catching aircraft, military pins for those protecting our country, defibrillators and superfoods to name just a few.
Christian Cowan
URI Research Foundation
Your Biggest Challenges Solved
Grow Sales
Market Competitiveness
Standards Compliance
How We Help
UPGRADE READINESS
Frustrated by the lack of connectivity or communication with your business systems? Polaris MEP can help you
- evaluate your current processes and practices,
- choose systems (ERP, CRM, automation) for data collection and analysis, and
- improve inventory management and process flow.
DRIVING ACTION
R&D can make the difference between dominating your industry and getting left behind. We can assist you in creating a strategic plan to focus on R&D while minimizing risk.
This includes improving systems to review testing data, to detect and develop promising technology faster.
IDEA DISCOVERY & COMMERCIALIZATION
Leverage the expertise that can transform your business.
Polaris MEP can connect you to regional universities / federal labs that may have research to position your company for success in the global Manufacturing 4.0 environment. We also can evaluate your industrial processes to identify areas for innovation, and connect you with state programs to bring ideas to reality.
INNOVATOR CONNECTIONS
Polaris MEP partners with university and government labs to match early stage developers with local supply chain partners (particularly manufacturers) who specialize in prototyping and low volume production runs.
Polaris MEP’s parent (URI Research Foundation) and sister (401 Tech Bridge) organizations offer additional connections.
Connecting Manufacturers with World Class Researchers
- Connect to resources and inventors to develop next-generation products for your customers
- Collaborate on innovative concepts and stay ahead of your competition
- Diversify your product line to serve broader markets
Related
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PBN explores the benefit of Manufacturing Day 2025 for manufacturing leaders. Polaris MEP thanks PBN author Jacquelyn Voghel for attending RI's Future in the Making sponsored by General Dynamics Electric Boat, Nautilus Defense, New England Institute of Technology...
Hundreds of Rhode Island Students Explore Local Manufacturing Careers at Manufacturing Day 2025
Students rotated through hands-on activity stations. PROVIDENCE, RI — Despite the gloomy weather, Rhode Island's next generation of makers gathered at Farm Fresh Rhode Island on October 8th for the fourth annual Manufacturing Day Career Exploration Experience, hosted...
Measuring Harmful By-Products of Air Cleaners
Not all air cleaners are the same. Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have introduced a new testing standard to evaluate the by-products that some air cleaners may release. While these devices are meant to improve indoor air...
I’m bullish on Rhode Island manufacturing, but even more on the innovative manufacturers behind it.
Christian Cowan
Center Director, Polaris MEP
Category: Technology Acceleration
Providence Business News: Digital innovation webinar
Polaris MEP will host a free digital innovation webinar for manufacturers who are interested in expanding their digital solutions on Jan. 17
Providence Business News: More than $87M from 2023 federal spending bill to support 78 Rhode Island projects
The 2023 federal spending bill includes more than $87.2M to support 78 RI projects, including manufacturing work-based training.
Info Session Video Series Introduces 4 Proven Lean Productivity Tools
Series of info session videos introduces 4 Manufacturing productivity tools: SMED, Value Stream Mapping, Process Flow and Spaghetti Diagrams.
WHAT and WHY of Setup Reduction / Quick Changeover / SMED
Why does SMED aka quick changeover result in increased production flexibility and more satisfied customers? Find out in this intro video.
Introduction to Value Stream Mapping
Why is Value Stream Mapping a proven and beloved tool to identify and remove / reduce “waste” in manufacturing? This intro video explains.
Process Flow Mapping Info Session
Want to remove waste in your flow of work from customer order to production to shipping? Watch this information session video & discover Process Flow Mapping.
Expand Through Exports – Meet the Local Resources for RI Manufacturers
Webinar introduces Rhode Island manufacturers to local resources to help them expand through exports: Chafee Center, US Commercial Services
Mahr Inc. Sees Measurable Results from Relationship with Polaris MEP
When Mahr Inc needed help finding quality candidates, upskilling existing team and leadership training, they turned to Rhode Island’s MEP.
#MFGDay2022 – Manufacturing Day Student Experience
VIDEO: More than 300 Rhode Island schoolkids attended the 2022 Manufacturing Day career / student experience event hosted by Polaris MEP.
Spaghetti Diagrams Info Session
Extra steps are great for Fitbits, not manufacturing. Learn how spaghetti diagrams help make waste visible as parts & people travel through the shop.




