Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program's annual report shows it has had nearly a $1.16 billion impact in Indiana since its inception in 1986.
Along the way, TAP has assisted about 12,000 organizations, businesses and hospitals/health-care providers, trained more than 25,500 employees, and saved or added more than 11,854 jobs in the state.
"TAP takes Purdue expertise into every county in Indiana," said David McKinnis, TAP director and assistant vice president for engagement. "Our goal is to move Indiana forward."
For 2011-2012, TAP reports it:
* Provided services that helped Indiana companies increase or retain sales worth more than $114.8 million, an increase of more than 265 percent over the previous year.
* Helped companies realize cost savings of $14.9 million and invest $32.4 million in capital investment.
* Worked with 897 employers, hospitals, health-care providers and governmental units in 89 of the 92 Indiana counties.
* Trained 4,509 employees and created or saved 1,854 jobs.
More than 174 faculty, staff and students were involved in the effort.
TAP has three major thrusts. The health-care division provides clients with a not-for-profit consulting service - Purdue Healthcare Advisors - that applies clinical and technological expertise to improve patient care, secure accreditation, meet government regulations and improve productivity. The division's Indiana Healthcare Information Technology Extension Center assists small practices with the selection and implementation of electronic health records systems.
Faculty and students also work through TAP to seize opportunities and meet a wide variety of challenges in other industry sectors. One specialized arm - Manufacturing Extension Partnership - focuses on advanced manufacturing, assisting with continuous improvement processes, human capital, leadership and culture to create lasting positive change in the areas of productivity, growth and technology.
TAP's third focus is on energy and the environment. Its Energy Efficiency and Sustainability program provides assessments and training for companies with high-energy costs. The Green Enterprise Development program teaches related skills. Both help companies raise the bar on conservation and create jobs through energy efficiency projects. Results in the past year are:
* Indiana employees trained: 2,015.
* Electricity cost savings: $417,431.
* Natural gas cost savings: $254,203.
* Total energy cost savings: $673,295.
* Emissions reduction CO2-e: 7,788 tons.
A few of the companies TAP served recently are:
Jetco Plastic, Plainfield, Ind.: Met market demand by making pallets out of plastic instead of steel, leading to expected orders of $55 million per year over multiple years.
Scott Memorial Hospital, Scottsburg: Reduced the time it takes from the emergency room to a general nursing unit.
IU Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette: Improved surgical efficiency.
Rush Memorial Hospital, Rushville: Made steps to ensure the security of patient data.
Small Parts Inc., Logansport: Adopted principles that tripled market share growth in the transmission component segment, tripled the closure rate on new business and found novel solutions.
Hoosier Spring Co., South Bend: Improved production to save 14 million seconds per year, a total annual savings of $313,739.
Of the $11.22 million in funding invested through TAP, the largest share - $3.1 million - came from U.S. Health and Human Services for support of electronic health records implementation. Next was $2.475 million from service fees from business and health care for training and technical assistance.
Other funding sources included: the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for manufacturing assistance; the Indiana Office of Energy Development for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability programs; the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for Frontline Green Worker Training; and the Indiana Hospital Association for Partnership for Patients Initiative.
More information about TAP and its various programs can be found at http://www.tap.purdue.edu/