Polaris MEP

10/16/2026

📣Help shape the next generation of manufacturing talent!

Polaris MEP’s training program gives employers opportunities to connect with emerging talent and introduce trainees to careers in manufacturing.

As an Employer Partner, your company can:
- Host a company tour to showcase your operations.
- Provide hands-on experience through job shadowing.
- Meet and pre-screen potential candidates before graduation.

Build connections with future employees while helping prepare the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals.

Interested in becoming an Employer Partner? Contact Polaris MEP to learn more!

10/15/2026

Polaris MEP helps Rhode Island manufacturers assess their quality systems, identify gaps, prepare for certification and strengthen their operations. Whether a company is planning an ISO transition or exploring certification for the first time, Polaris MEP’s quality-management experts can help develop a practical path forward.

Learn More: https://ow.ly/UFLv50ZY49f

10/13/2026

What an awesome turnout this morning at the first edition of our Resource Roadshow event in Providence!

Many thanks to Daniela Fairchild of Rhode Island Commerce, Mike Blazek of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and to the team at Mahr Inc. for inviting us in to chat all things resources.

With overall cost reduction, workforce, and AI literacy at the top of crowd inquiries, the biggest takeaway from all panelists was pretty simple: as our Center Director, Matt Watson, so elegantly stated "Don't wait until your challenge becomes a crisis to contact us".

The multitude of available resources for you and your manufacturing facility are too robust to list in a social post. Call us, tell us what's going on, and we'll guide you to the right resource for your specific challenge.

Missed this one? We have two more of this series coming up you can register for:

November 18 in Newport: https://ow.ly/g1qA50ZXgVp

November 19 in Northern RI: https://ow.ly/CywO50ZXgVm

10/13/2026

An evening behind the Iron Pour.

The spectacle of the Iron Pour starts long before the furnace is fired up. On October 24, The Steel Yard is opening the doors for a closer look at the people, preparation, and creativity behind the event.

Act II: Summon the Firebird invites guests into an evening of food, cocktails, art, and discovery—with a few surprises along the way.

Expect:

🔥 A behind-the-scenes look at the Iron Pour
🍸 Cocktails and conversation
🍴 Nibbles by Frank & Laurie’s
🍰 Dessert by Milk Thistle Kitchen
🖼️ A silent auction
🌲 An enchanted Firebird forest
✨ Swag and plenty of atmosphere

Dress for drama. Come ready for a special night.

Tickets are $150 and on sale now: https://go.polarismep.org/iron-pour-act-2-more

📅 Saturday, October 24 | 5–8 PM
📍 The Steel Yard | Providence

Polaris is a sponsor of this year’s Iron Pour, supporting the intersection of manufacturing, craftsmanship, art, and community.

The Steel Yard

10/13/2026

Check out this scouting opportunity from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)! Are circuit boards your business? Reach out to us if so: https://ow.ly/4JWm50ZV0Hx

2026-469 Turnkey Printed Circuit Board Assembly — Bluetooth Optical Sensing Module,
Bluetooth-enabled sensor electronics assembly for a connected athletic training device. Rigid FR-4 printed circuit board - Bluetooth Low Energy module or SoC nRF52840 - Impact / motion sensing element. Light Sensing Element [AS7341]

10/13/2026

Polaris is expanding access to Development Dimensions International (DDI) leadership development through flexible online learning and instructor-led, in-person training.

The goal is simple: give RI manufacturers a practical, flexible way to develop stronger leaders at every level of their organization.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/Lc0P50ZX8Yb

10/13/2026

Celebrating Rhode Island Manufacturing Excellence!

The 2026 Providence Business News Manufacturing Awards shine a spotlight on the companies and leaders strengthening Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector through innovation, leadership, collaboration and continued investment.

From emerging manufacturers to established industry leaders, this year’s honorees represent the talent, ingenuity and commitment that keep Rhode Island manufacturing moving forward.

As the Presenting Sponsor - we want to congratulate the 2026 Manufacturing Award honorees!

Congratulations to
Felix Brockmeyer, CEO and President of igus, Inc. - Recipient of the Strategic Leadership Award
Steven J. King, Managing Director of Quonset Development Corporation - Recipient of the Manufacturing Champion Award

Lumetta, Inc. - Recipient of the Overall Excellence as a Small Manufacturer Award
Groov-Pin Corporation - Recipient of the Overall Excellence as a Midsize Manufacturer Award
Teknor Apex - Recipient of the Overall Excellence as a Enterprise Manufacturer Award
MEI Industrial Solutions - Recipient of the Supply Chain Excellence Award
The Brickle Group - Recipient of the Lean Management Award
Moss Pure - Recipient of the Green Manufacturing Award
A.B. Munroe Dairy - Recipient of the Women-Run Business Award
MYRTH Ceramics - Recipient of the Emerging Manufacturer Award
Nterprisers, Inc. - Recipient of the Manufacturing Service Provider Award (https://nterprisers.com/)
Taco, Inc. - Recipient of the Collaboration Award

We’ll be highlighting this year’s winners and the accomplishments behind each award. There is a lot to celebrate across Rhode Island’s manufacturing community.

The awards will be presented November 18 at the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick. Tickets will be on Sale Soon.

10/09/2026

One manufacturing firm, Admiral Packaging, found navigating the labor market required reforming how it trained, hired and paid some workers See link below ⬇️

📸 David DelPoio/The Providence Journal

https://ow.ly/14T550ZVshh

10/09/2026

Polaris is pleased to sponsor Justice Assistance’s 44th Annual Neil J. Houston, Jr. Memorial Awards, recognizing individuals who make meaningful contributions to Rhode Island’s justice community.

Congratulations to the 2026 honorees, Kevin Barry, Lt. Colonel (Ret.), Magistrate John F. McBurney, III, and Jane Quinlan.

The event will take place on October 22, 2026 at the Providence Marriott Downtown.

Learn more: https://go.polarismep.org/neil-j-houston-jr-awards-social

Justice Assistance

10/09/2026

The U.S. Navy is looking beyond its traditional defense contractors for new undersea technology, and Rhode Island companies see an opening.

For smaller Rhode Island companies, getting a technology in front of the Navy is only the beginning, according to Christian Cowan, executive director of Polaris MEP, a manufacturing assistance organization.

“The things that make Rhode Island poised to really have tremendous success are physical assets that AI [artificial intelligence] is not going to replace,” Cowan said.

Read more about Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport's plans and how companies, such as Solid State Power, a BlueTIDE participant, are getting involved.

The U.S. Navy is looking beyond its traditional defense contractors for new undersea technology, and Rhode Island companies see an opening. In a Sept. 15 announcement, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport said it wants to involve more companies earlier in the development and acquisitio...