Balancing intricate customization with profitable efficiency remains the defining challenge for specialty manufacturers, and it’s one Maryland MEP hears about constantly. Maryland’s industrial sector features a wealth of companies producing highly specialized, low-volume goods, and we’ve worked alongside many of them. Labor shortages, rising material costs, and the inability to

On April 15, 2026, manufacturing leaders from across Maryland gathered at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover for the Maryland MEP Workforce Innovation Summit. The half-day event brought together manufacturers, HR professionals, workforce experts, and training partners for a focused conversation about one of the industry’s most persistent priorities:

Maryland is rapidly transforming its industrial base into a powerhouse of advanced technology. Facilities across the state are moving away from traditional methods to embrace a more connected, intelligent approach. At the center of this shift is smart factory automation, a movement that integrates physical machinery with advanced software. Manufacturers

Each year, U.S. industry generates millions of tons of waste, much of which ends up in landfills at a high cost. In Maryland, manufacturers are embracing circular economy manufacturing to turn waste into opportunity. This innovative approach goes beyond the traditional “take-make-dispose” system by redesigning processes to eliminate waste, extend