The free Vermont Manufacturers Forum exists to serve as an informal forum for Vermont manufacturers to exchange ideas and discuss practical solutions to common operational problems.

Forums are open to Vermont companies that are on their "Lean Journey" or are earnestly beginning or considering that journey. Employees of Vermont companies desiring to receive an invitation should contact their local VMEC Professional Manufacturing Advisor, or call 802-728-1432, or use the contact link above.

Forum events are held several times each year at the site of a host Vermont manufacturing company. The host company shares its unique experiences on a particular topic. From time to time, VMEC may arrange for a guest speaker/expert to present at a Forum. Brief plant tours are frequently part of the Forum experience.  Forums are usually 3 to 4 hours in duration.

A sampling of past Forum topics includes: TWI, The Visual Factory, Competing With Pull Systems, Engaging Employees in Moving the Business Forward, Sustaining Your Continuous Improvement Activities, Mistake-Proofing Manufacturing Processes, plus more.

The inaugural Vermont Manufacturers Forum was held on December 8, 2006 at IBM's Essex Junction plant. IBM, the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development, and VMEC had formed a "Lean Manufacturing Training Partnership" in September 2004, and the dramatic results of the IBM Essex Jct. continuous improvement effort - then just 2 years into their new Lean "journey" - were discussed.

Since its inception, the Vermont Manufacturers' Forum has received outstanding support from the Vermont Training Program within the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development.