December 7, 2009

Purdue TAP reports record results for 2008-09

TAP, a partnership among Purdue, the state and local communities, works with companies and health-care providers to improve performance and enhance the quality of life for Indiana citizens.

During the fiscal year that ran from July 2008 through June 2009, TAP worked with 703 companies in 86 of Indiana's 92 counties. It trained more than 5,000 employees in multiple areas, including manufacturing, public health, health care and pharmacy.

Its efforts resulted in a record $84 million in increased or retained sales by companies. More than 680 jobs were created or retained. Companies working with TAP during the year reported cost savings of $13 million and made capital investments of $16 million.

"These results are particularly gratifying for TAP and the companies it works with given the economic difficulties of the last two years," said Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue's vice provost for engagement "During this time, TAP has been committed to helping Indiana companies make changes and improvements to strengthen them as they weather the downturn and then move ahead in a rejuvenated economy."

John Brown, engineer coordinator for Myers Spring Co. in Logansport, Ind., credits TAP with helping it survive the down economy.

"We have been able to weather this economic downturn due to our efforts of continual improvement, and we fully expect to come out the other side stronger. TAP has been a part of this success."

Myers, a precision spring manufacturer, turned to TAP's Green Enterprise Development services to help it increase profits and efficiency by incorporating green and lean production principles.

"At Myers Spring, we are always looking for ways to grow our business by expanding our product base and developing new customers," Brown said. "We chose TAP because it has a passion for helping businesses like ours meet their goals."

TAP offers various programs and services that utilize Purdue faculty, staff and students in 11 statewide offices.

Among TAP's programs are:

* The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, which offers manufacturing training and implementation in areas including continuous improvement, quality and leadership.

* Faculty Assistance Projects, through which faculty and graduate students provide short-term assistance on a broad range of business and technical issues. Up to five days of no-cost assistance is available.

* Energy Efficiency Services, which provide assessments and training for companies with high energy costs.

* HealthcareTAP, which offers short-term performance and quality improvement training for Indiana hospitals, the public health system and other health-care providers. HealthcareTAP is a partner with the Indiana Hospital Association and the Purdue Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering.

* PharmaTAP, which provides performance and quality improvement projects for hospital and community pharmacies and others in the drug supply chain. PharmaTAP start-up funding was provided by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

TAP also sponsors a summer intern program and a high-tech job fair to match Indiana companies with Purdue students.

"TAP exists to provide Indiana companies and health-care providers with experts who can help them increase their competitiveness, profits or customer satisfaction," said David McKinnis, TAP director and associate vice provost for engagement. "We urge interested companies to contact us."

More information about TAP's programs can be found at https://www.tap.purdue.edu/  or by calling 765-494-6258.

Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu

Sources: David McKinnis, 765-494-9189, mckinnis@purdue.edu

Victor Lechtenberg, vll@purdue.edu

John Brown, 574-722-0448, john@myersspring.com

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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