Purdue MEP and Conexus Indiana to Launch DOE Playbook for Manufacturers Transitioning to EV Supply Markets

 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Purdue University’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and Conexus Indiana funding to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) with utilizing the ideas and guidance in a new Small Supplier Electric Vehicle Transition Playbook to create practical action plans for their businesses. Funded by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, this playbook will be a key resource for expanding the country’s capabilities to manufacture electric vehicles (EV).

The playbook, building on an analysis compiled by Argonne National Laboratory, will outline a strategy for manufacturers supporting the internal combustion engine (ICE) supply chain in adapting their operations to better support the EV and clean energy industries.

“There is an enormous opportunity for Indiana manufacturers to expand into the emerging market of EV components,” states Ranae Stewart, Senior Executive Director of Purdue MEP. “Initiatives like this provide companies with guidance and training to transition into this rapidly evolving industry.”

The playbook will serve manufacturers in three capacities as it will provide essential technical, financial, and strategic guidance as they explore opportunities to modify their production lines or facilities for EV component manufacturing.

The EV supply chain differs greatly from the traditional ICE model, with a strong focus on electronics and battery systems. Small and medium-sized manufacturers are critical in these supply chains, where they provide vital components and materials.

“The resources in this playbook will be crucial in helping Indiana’s manufacturers stay competitive as the automotive industry evolves,” said Fred Cartwright, President and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “We are eager to engage Indiana's advanced manufacturing sector in deploying this playbook, ensuring that small- and medium-sized manufacturers—who form the backbone of our supply chain—can capitalize on this transition. Their success is essential for positioning Indiana as a national leader in the EV ecosystem.”

Indiana ranks second in the U.S. for overall automotive production and has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, according to the Indiana Economic Development Commission.

These opportunities are managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) set up by the DOE's Office of Technology Transitions (OTT). This agreement enables ENERGYWERX to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions.

 

 

About Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Purdue MEP, part of the MEP National Network, provides high-value, affordable, personalized consulting and training services that enable Indiana manufacturers to work smarter, compete, and prosper. We develop more effective business leaders, drive product and process innovation, promote company-wide operational excellence, and foster creative strategies for business growth, workforce development, economic competitiveness, and greater profitability. To learn more, visit www.mep.purdue.edu

 

About Conexus Indiana

Conexus Indiana, a branded initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), is dedicated to advancing the Hoosier State's position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. Working closely with industry, academia, and government partners, Conexus Indiana drives workforce development, economic growth, and innovation across the state. For more information, please visit ConexusIndiana.com.

 

Writer: Julie Warner, 765-496-1200, jawarner@purdue.edu