RTI International

RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. www.rti.org

Made in America"
Back to American Innovation
J anuary 12, 2012
Dave Cranmer, NIST MEP
Kirsten Rieth, RTI International
Scott Dromms, Edison Nation
Chris Clark, Edison Nation
RTI International
What is Made in America all about?
Edison Nation, an idea-to-shelf product developer and
innovation platform has partnered with NIST MEP to
support and engage its MEP network for an initiative
created to bolster U.S.-based manufacturing.
Together, with such retailers as Bed Bath & Beyond,
Pep Boys, Rawlings, and Shat-R-Shield, Edison
Nation hosted Made in America themed searches for
new product ideas.
Inventors and innovators were invited to submit ideas
to each themed search.
Retailers selected their top ideas and are seeking U.S.
based manufacturers to bid on making the products
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What are the program details?
Goal: to find U.S.- based
manufacturers to make the product
ideas.
First set of requests for quotes
(RFQs) and bid packages for
manufacturers to respond to sent to
MEP system J an. 6, 2012.
More RFQs and bid packages will
appear in the coming weeks.
Like a private labeling business
model where the manufacturer
makes the product but the retailer
owns the product rights
Please send the requests out to your company networks.
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Who is involved?
Edison Nation
http://www.edisonnation.com/
An idea-to-shelf product
developer and innovation
platform
Brings inventors voices and
ideas to major retailers and
companies in need of innovation
and inspiration
Accepting quotes on behalf of
their major retailer clients
RTI International
www.rti.org/innovation
A Technology Acceleration partner
supporting the NIST MEP system
Designed and managing the program
Fielding questions about the program
or details about the products
NIST MEP
http://www.nist.gov/mep/
Distributing opportunities to NIST MEP
network
Assisting their SME manufacturers to
respond to opportunities
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What are the benefits?
To the MEP Center
Provides a good reason to re-
connect with SME clients
Provides an opportunity to reach
out to new potential SME clients
Demonstrates the reach and
network of the MEP system, and
confirms MEP Centers value
proposition to its clients
Potential for great national press
and high visibility if successful
To the U.S.-based manufacturer
Opportunity to bid on making
products with a guaranteed large
distribution channel
Opportunity to create a
relationship with major retailer
buyers that could be the basis for
follow-on product work
Opportunity to diversify markets
and establish a history as a retail
supplier, forming a basis for doing
business with other retailers
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Which retailers have product ideas available for bid?
6 new product ideas currently available
for quote submission by MEP SMEs
Bed Bath &
Beyond
Upcoming RFQs late J anuary
Pep Boys
Upcoming RFQs late J anuary
Rawlings
Upcoming RFQs late J anuary
Shat-R-Shield
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6 new product ideas for BBB & RFQs
Bed, Bath, and Beyond (BBB) is looking for U.S.-based manufacturers that are capable
of making production quantities for six new product ideas. These products will be sold
at Bed, Bath, and Beyond retail outlets as well as be offered through their web store
Cake Cutter Individual Server Tray - RFQ
Cuplettes - RFQ
Duzall Bottle Recycling Device - RFQ
Sweater Slider Clothing Organizer - RFQ
Wall Garden Planter - RFQ
XPel Bag - RFQ
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Guides and Logistics
For assistance to you and your clients on
"Made in America" Opportunities consult
Guide to Doing Business with Large
Retailers
For questions about the program or details
about the products contact by COB
January 16, 2012.
Caroline Ranghel Ashley
(ranghel@rti.org or 919-541-6822)
Please have companies submit quotes by
COB January 30, 2012.
Scott Dromms
(scott.dromms@edisonnation.com or
704-369-7309)
Companies chosen to manufacturer new
product ideas will be contacted by the end
of March 2012.
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Questions
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Contacts
Scott Dromms
Edison Nation
704.369.7309
scott.dromms@edisonnation.com
David Cranmer
NIST MEP
301.975.5753
david.cranmer@nist.gov
Caroline Ranghel
Ashley
RTI International
919.541.6822
ranghel@rti.org