The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program enters 2025 on the heels of a strong 2024 campaign supporting manufacturers. Last year featured a number of accomplishments and milestones for NJMEP, such as the largest ever Made in NJ Manufacturing Day; the delivery and implementation of its Mobile Training Lab; expanding its Future Makers and Creators Tour; opening a Hands-On Workforce Training Center;  launching a new office at the Rowan Technology Park; becoming the home to New Jersey’s first Universal Robots Training Academy; as well as establishing new and extending current partnerships.

That last point is a priority that NJMEP Chief Executive Officer Peter Connolly has stressed since taking the helm of the organization. In previous interviews with NJBIZ, Connolly noted his early efforts to make the rounds to manufacturers and key stakeholders throughout the state while introducing a number of new initiatives – planting seeds if you will – toward further growth for the organization.

“We watered the seeds – and the seeds are growing into plants,” Connolly told NJBIZ in a recent interview. “It was probably the best year in NJMEP history.”

That discussion kicked off with that theme of partnerships and the importance of collaboration.

“It’s probably the most important thing that I spend my time on,” said Connolly, noting the different business leaders he is in constant dialogue with from a slew of New Jersey business organizations.

He stressed that each organization, business and stakeholder cannot do everything by themselves. But if they come together in collaboration, they can do greater good for the sector — the business community writ large. An example of such partnership is reflected in its relationship with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, which took the baton in 2024 overseeing the State of the State of Manufacturing event. NJMEP also works closely with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and several chambers of commerce around the state, among other groups and organizations. 

Connolly was recently elected to serve on the board of directors at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.

“It’s going good – but not as fast as I want,” said Connolly, of his organization’s efforts in South Jersey, noting the transportation challenges in that part of the state. “That’s a major issue for manufacturers down there – is getting people to jobs. There’s train structure – there’s no bus structure. It’s tough.”

“But businesses are there – and they are willing to engage,” noted Mike Womack, director, Marketing & Communications, NJMEP. “This past Manufacturing Day, we had the most South Jersey manufacturer sponsors – we had the most South Jersey manufacturer attendees. And then we had the most South Jersey manufacturers nominate themselves to become ‘Manufacturer of the Year.’ Because they’re there – but anything takes time.”

“And we’re planting the seeds,” said Connolly.

Initiatives and challenges

Connolly highlighted other key initiatives, such as leading a regional effort on supply chain mitigation and training for offshore wind; the New Jersey Defense Manufacturing Community Consortium – with over 200 veterans in the program; and more.

Another major focus has been raising the visibility of NJMEP through these initiatives, partnerships, outreach and efforts, such as hosting an event at the annual League of Municipal Conference in Atlantic City – which the organization believes is paying off.

“I think the best year we’ve had is a testament to that,” said Womack.

Connolly echoed that sentiment.

“You got to get out there – and keep pushing,” he said, while also acknowledging the challenges in the state.

“There are issues in New Jersey,” Connolly continued. “Every time I meet with any of the legislators – I say, ‘The biggest issue I hear is red tape.’”

On the defense

Asked for sectors in which manufacturing has been growing over the past few years, Connolly named defense, pointing to how the industry has changed over the years, especially here in New Jersey. “There’s a big – smaller industry in defense that we’re starting to work.”

An initiative in that space features a partnership with NJBIA and New Jersey Innovation Institute – with NJMEP taking the lead – to develop a Defense Industry Council.

“And that’s one of the goals for this year, is to bring together, even universities. But you take Picatinny – you take Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. The amount of companies that are out there – that are really doing defense work,” Connolly explained. “How do we highlight that to our federal legislators?”

As for what the mantra will be for 2025, Connolly was clear. “Partnership 2.0,” he said. “I don’t think we’re done with partnerships.”

He spoke further about the importance of partnerships – mentioning others with the New Jersey Small Business Development Center; as well as with Junior Achievement, which has included NJMEP opening its own spot at BizTown.

“Some of those things – they just started taking hold this year. And we want to cement that,” said Connolly. “What we want to highlight for our 2025 is, how do manufacturers get a voice in Trenton better? That’s probably the two overriding type of things we are looking at.”

After mentioning further focus on defense and the Future Makers and Creators Tour for 2025, the topic then shifted to generative artificial intelligence.

“A lot of things that we are starting to see is AI taking a big hold in manufacturing companies,” he explained. “Like predictability of machine maintenance is probably the big thing we’re looking at. Cyber is really taking off.”

‘Key’ political race

Of course, this year, has the backdrop of a new incoming Trump administration as well as wide-open gubernatorial race here in New Jersey to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.

“The gubernatorial race is going to be key,” said Connolly, who noted that NJBIA’s roundtables with most of the candidates have drawn responses that they agree manufacturing should have a seat at the table. “My question is – what does that mean? We’re working with NJBIA and the CCSNJ on sort of a playbook for each of the candidates for manufacturing. What Connecticut has actually is a chief manufacturing officer [Paul Lavoie]. He’s appointed by the governor. He has a seat at the table at the governor’s office – and works with the Connecticut BIA [Business & Industry Association – CBIA]. He works with CONNSTEP – which is Connecticut’s MEP.

“I think it’s a really good thing,” he continued. “But it’s something, I think, we need to look at – is having a chief manufacturing officer – sitting at the table, appointed by the governor that works with industry and works with manufacturing on bringing issues to the table. Those are some of the things we are looking to push.”

Womack also noted an exciting event this year — the product of yet another strong partnership, with the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center.

“It’s been a fantastic relationship with the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils,” said Womack. “We’re going to be hosting a STEM Day with the Devils and Newark Schools (K-6 students). Essentially like a Makers & Creators Tour. Each section, the students can go and learn from the Devils on the science of a slap shot; the engineering of the Zamboni – how it works; how things are made.”

That event, which is being coordinated with the Devils Youth Foundation, takes place March 3. And the Mobile Training Lab will be on hand in Newark for it.

Other 2025 plans on NJMEP’s agenda include a Union Labor Day with the Devils; a legislative bus tour through every district that picks up legislators and brings them to companies in their district; and an March Madness-style tournament – the Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey – with an NCAA Tournament-like bracket playing out over a couple months, culminating at the State of the State of Manufacturing event in May.

“I’m excited. I love coming to work – I love it,” said Connolly. “I was chairman of the board before – and I didn’t realize how many things we did.”

“And do well,” Womack added.

“I think the team’s energized,” said Connolly. “This is going to be a better year.”