The Article below appeared in the San Francisco Business Times.

Manex agress to help NUMMI suppliers
by Blanca Torres, San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - December 15, 2009  - The Alameda County Workforce Investment Board appointed the Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (MANEX) to help suppliers that depended on NUMMI for business.

The Fremont auto factory, scheduled to close in March, is a major, if not sole, customer for dozens of manufacturers in Northern California. San Ramon-based Manex has agreed to work with the affected firms to identify new sources of revenue after NUMMI shuts its doors.

“Our work with hundreds of Northern California manufacturers has proven that our consulting services yield significant, measurable results,” said Brent Meyers, chief executive of Manex. The company was founded in 1995 and primarily consults with industrial and manufacturing related companies.

“Manex Consulting is the ideal firm to handle these business assessments,” said Roy Bertuccelli with the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board. “They have a fantastic track-record of working with local manufacturers, and their work will allow us to take the first step toward ensuring continued business viability and averting layoffs.”

NUMMI suppliers may be eligible for programs such as Trade Adjustment Act. Groups including the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, East Bay Economic Development Agency, California Workforce Investment Board, California Business Investment Services and several other local, state and federal agencies are working on securing funding for more resources to help NUMMI suppliers.