AUBURN – Staying competitive in today’s business and manufacturing arenas requires innovative thinking, action and a commitment to continuous improvement.
      Since 1976 Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) -- Auburn University’s affiliate of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) and an Economic Development Administration University Center -- has helped business, industry and not-for-profit entities learn how to improve and enhance their competitiveness and efficiency through a variety of educational and outreach services.
       “ATAC provides business and technical assistance, customized training, and consultation in implementing value-added strategies to manufacturers and other businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies throughout Alabama and the Southeast,” said ATAC Director Henry Burdg.
       ATAC also works with manufacturing industries throughout the state to provide training and expertise in the areas of Lean manufacturing -- a philosophy that emerged from the Toyota production system and the Japanese automotive industry that is designed to remove waste and non-value-added elements from the manufacturing process.
       “We also conduct training in Six Sigma, a statistically based management paradigm designed to improve profits and enhance productivity,” Burdg said. “However, it is important to note that all of our training and services are designed by working directly with the company or organization to identify their specific and unique needs and to develop and deliver programs that meet those needs.”
       Since its beginning, ATAC has worked with hundreds of different industry and not-for-profit community and government organizations.
       “Economic benefits or impacts directly related to our work with those companies and organizations have been in the millions of dollars,” Burdg notes. “Moreover, because of our university Outreach mission and through our affiliations with the ATN and EDA, we are able to offer and provide highly valuable and effective programs that our clients consider to be an excellent value.”
       Alabama companies and not-for-profit organizations continue to heavily incorporate the services available through ATAC in their annual strategic planning. ATAC staff are inside manufacturing firms daily working with those companies to improve the skills and capabilities of their workforce – and more importantly – to keep jobs in the state.

Questions & Assistance

Contact: Mitch Emmons
Sr. Outreach Associate
(334) 844-3881 (office direct)
(334) 524-2102 (cell)
emmonmb@auburn.edu