How the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership has helped local manufacturers succeed
VB Cosmetics
Original, Arizona-made natural beauty products
VB Cosmetics is a privately owned Arizona manufacturing firm dedicated to building its own global brands of clean, natural, science-based beauty products. Founded by husband-and-wife team Steven Valenty and organic chemist Vivian Valenty, its flagship product is Vivian's brainchild, Dazzle Dry, a quick-dry nail polish system that is unique in the market, and a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory that allows VB Cosmetics personnel to test all raw materials before production.
Steven and Vivian Valenty have built businesses together since the 1970s. VB Cosmetics is their second firm, splitting off from a B2B chemical analysis company. 'Our previous company supported mainly electronics, aerospace, defense, transportation, and industry. Cosmetics was a little bit different, especially for the Phoenix area. But Vivian developed our first viable product, the original UV topcoat for fast-drying manicures,' Steven says.
As of 2007, Dazzle Dry is the latest version of this quick-drying manicure treatment and VB Cosmetics' flagship product, now without the outdated UV component. 'We've invested continually into our business and grown using bank funding,' says Steven, who goes on to stress the importance of using wholesome ingredients in all VB Cosmetics offerings. 'Vivian does not make any UV cured products anymore, because of the UV radiation and toxic ingredients introduced to the skin.'
'Steven and Vivian are absolutely wonderful people and it's been a pleasure to watch their company grow over the years,' says Dave Garafano, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Programs and Executive Director of the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP). 'We've worked with them on 30 or so projects from organizational development, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing. They're some of the most fun people to work with — just brilliant.'
AZ MEP is the Arizona Commerce Authority's premier program assisting small- to medium-sized manufacturers across the state and plays a key role in strengthening Arizona's manufacturers, including VB Cosmetics. 'AZ MEP has helped us out with HR, building a great community, and creating the structure of our company,' says Valenty. 'The part-time CFO consultant they provided is now our full-time CEO. We've had excellent working relations with AZ MEP since 2017 and they've been incredibly helpful.'
Thanks in part to the business-friendly environment in Arizona and cooperation with the Arizona Commerce Authority, AZ MEP, and the Arizona Tech Council, VB Cosmetics today has 88 employees and keeps growing. 'We'll be close to 100 by the end of the year. We're expanding rapidly and really enjoy being part of the Arizona manufacturing community.'
For Steven and Vivian Valenty and VB Cosmetics, the sky's the limit. 'We're building our leadership team to have the skills to become a $100 million company. That's one of our goals in the not-too-distant future, and I think we can do it. It's important to work with the most skilled individuals, and AZ MEP has helped us build our community without losing sight of our identity or the mutual respect that makes our company great,' Valenty says.
Heitek Automation
Successfully navigating the Arizona manufacturing ecosystem with AZ MEP
When Minnesota native Dan Heiling was looking to start his innovative automation firm, the sunny climate of Arizona was too good to resist, but he chose Arizona not just because of the weather. 'Heitek Automation has been around for 25 years. I saw Arizona as an underserved market when it comes to industrial automation and manufacturing. We work closely with technology partners like Siemens to supply engineered control solutions to manufacturers in a wide range of industries. We also do pneumatics, robotics, and plant automation solutions with partners like Epson and ABB. Our intent is to serve underserved markets and really support our clients by driving higher efficiency on the plant floor,' Heiling says.
Heiling was also impressed with how business-friendly the state is, with initiatives that support manufacturing enterprises like his own. Heiling connected with the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP), the Arizona Commerce Authority's premier program assisting small- to medium-sized manufacturers.
'We really appreciate the support of AZ MEP, and we've leaned on them heavily because they brought some great experience and a fresh perspective when we needed it.' Heiling continues, considering the many ways AZ MEP has helped Heitek thrive. 'They're seasoned, veteran professionals we can draw on, and that means Arizona does consulting right. We're always excited about our involvement with the ACA and AZ MEP because when we face important issues, we can openly and transparently approach them with any challenges and receive solid advice on how to navigate the situation. We've been delighted with the guidance they've provided and how they help us navigate the Arizona manufacturing ecosystem.'
Heiling cites initiatives like AZ MEP — and the general pro-business approach to policy across the west — as strong lures for business owners like himself. 'All across the west, not just in Arizona, we're seeing great enticement for manufacturing businesses to set up shop. Our own headquarters are here in Arizona and new initiatives by local government have really opened the doors for the semiconductor industry, for example. There's just so much support coming from local programs to help growth of different market verticals like semiconductor and aerospace, and our strong defense industry. Great businesses are moving in thanks to the leadership we're seeing on the state level.'
For Dave Garafano, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Programs at the ACA and Executive Director of AZ MEP, Heitek is a perfect example of the kind of business his program was created to assist. 'The owners of Heitek are fantastic, super-smart people who have built an excellent business. We've done a significant number of projects with them. They have a great distribution business and an automation business where they help companies automate complex manufacturing processes, improving safety, quality, and efficiency while reducing overall costs. They've been experiencing rapid growth as we've worked with them for a number of years. Helping companies like Heitek and being a small part of their success is what makes the job so rewarding for the entire AZ MEP team.'
Arizona Western Fixture & Display
40-year veteran manufacturer continues to innovate and grow
In the spring of 2021, Mike Jimmerson, AZ MEP Senior Client Advisor, reached out to Pamela Narcy, Controller at Arizona Western Fixture & Display, to assist with COVID-19 pandemic business recovery. The Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP) is the Arizona Commerce Authority's premier program assisting small- to medium-sized manufacturers across the state and plays a key role in strengthening Arizona's manufacturers. 'Because of COVID, we were eligible for financial assistance through a special AZ MEP program funded by the CARES Act,' Narcy says. 'Mike Jimmerson and Kyle Randels, who is the Senior Client Advisor for Continuous Improvement at AZ MEP, introduced us to lean manufacturing and other continuous improvement methodologies, which have resulted in significant improvements to our operations.'
Founded by Bernard Narcy in his garage in 1984, Arizona Western Fixture & Display performs mill work for schools, retailers, banks, credit unions, and many other customers. 'We build cases and display counters, and for schools we make desks, changing tables, cubbies, and more. We pride ourselves on value engineering, and our engineers work to save our clients money without sacrificing quality. That's how we've secured repeat customers over 40 years in business,' Pamela Narcy says.
Arizona Western Fixture & Display takes pride in being an Arizona company. 'We make everything in Arizona, buying our raw materials here whenever possible, because we believe in using the resources of this state,' says Narcy.
Arizona has more than earned this community spirit by providing the company with significant aid through AZ MEP, first and foremost in addressing safety best practices. According to Narcy, 'AZ MEP changed how we looked at safety. We partnered with AZ MEP contractor, Horizon Safety, for quarterly training for all of our forklift operators, and to get our employees CPR certified. We do mock safety audits to prepare for OSHA and now we are OSHA 30 and OSHA 10 certified, and our average EMOD is around .86, saving us thousands on insurance premiums every year.'
Working with AZ MEP has given Arizona Western Fixture & Display employees access to career advancement. 'Thanks to AZ MEP and their focus on continuous improvement, one of our employees received his Six Sigma black belt and now he applies what he learned to analyze and improve our manufacturing processes,' says Narcy.
AZ MEP empowers team members to take on more roles on their own initiative. 'We've sent employees to build leadership skills through AZ MEP's Leadership Development Program,' Narcy says. 'We participate in the classes and workshops AZ MEP provides. They keep us informed of new workshop opportunities, like the R&D Tax Credit for research that manufacturers may be performing without realizing it.'
'I see this partnership with AZ MEP and ACA continuing as long as we're in business. My only regret is we didn't know about them years ago. It's amazing the difference these programs have made for our company,' Narcy says.
Nautilus Systems
Working with AZ MEP to grow with perfect precision
Founded in 1999, Nautilus Systems makes adhesive applicators that place components with the high precision and reliability that the industries they serve require. 'Eighty percent of our machines end up in medical device manufacturers, where any adhesive needs to be in the right spot every time,' says Nautilus Systems President Steve Gunnerson. 'Our machines are used in the automotive industry, consumer electronics, medical devices, defense products, and more.'
As Arizona residents, the Nautilus founders knew they were in the right state to build their business. 'Arizona is a manufacturing-friendly state,' Gunnerson says. 'The tax policies here encourage manufacturing businesses to thrive and expand. It's also been a hub for different types of manufacturing for a long time.'
Arizona also offers manufacturers access to top talent and world markets. According to Gunnerson, 'We've got great universities, and it's easy to fly into Phoenix from anywhere, and to get our products anywhere, not just in the U.S. but all over the world. Overall, we're very happy with Arizona as a home for manufacturing and proud we founded our company here.'
Much of this satisfaction comes from an ongoing relationship with the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP) — the Arizona Commerce Authority's premier program for assisting small- to medium-sized manufacturers across the state. AZ MEP provides comprehensive services to support manufacturers like Nautilus.
According to Matthew Rich, Director of Operations at Nautilus, 'AZ MEP has been able to help us grow smartly and expand our business sophistication. When you grow to 49 people, you need to make sure folks are following consistent processes. We worked closely with AZ MEP to develop a comprehensive safety program, and their consultants helped us get ISO 9000 certified.'
'AZ MEP has been instrumental in building more sophisticated job descriptions as we expand our staff,' Rich continues. 'AZ MEP's resources help us develop our employees' skills and provide training. AZ MEP also helped us get a training grant from the City of Phoenix and when we needed to expand to a new building, AZ MEP and the ACA helped us with the Arizona Qualified Facilities Tax Credit.'
'We've been working with Nautilus since 2021, and helped the company experience substantial growth. It's been an absolute pleasure to work with Nautilus and to collaborate on so many projects,' says Dave Garafano, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Programs and Executive Director of AZ MEP. 'I'm confident that they will continue to grow well into the future. Nautilus is a fantastic company run by some of the smartest and most professional leaders I know.'
Gunnerson and Rich appreciate the benefits Nautilus has received for its Arizona location, and the assistance of AZ MEP Senior Client Advisor Mike Jimmerson and the entire AZ MEP team. 'We've had an amazing five years and are continuing to invest in new product development and ongoing sales. The sky's the limit for our technology, and we're going to keep improving and innovating,' Gunnerson says. 'That's what we're all about.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Global powerhouse dominates Tesla in highly anticipated EV race: 'Nobody looked at us'
Chinese automaker BYD could soon dominate the European market and add to Tesla's struggles to recapture the hearts of electric vehicle drivers. What's happening? Fortune reported that BYD is now poised to produce around 300,000 EVs per year at its factory in Szeged, Hungary, by 2030. Starting next year, it estimates it will manufacture 150,000 of its all-electric sedans annually at the facility as it continues its push to firmly topple Tesla as the tastemaker of the EV realm, marketing its compact cars as perfect for narrow European streets. Over the first five months of the year, BYD sold 55,000 cars in Europe — three times more sales than it did during the same period in 2024. "If they keep growing at this speed, Europe should expect big disruption in the coming months," said JATO Dynamics analyst Felipe Munoz. BYD executive vice president Stella Li told Fortune that many underestimated her company as a potential EV powerhouse because of its small size. "Nobody looked at us," she said. Why is this important? Back in 2011, when speaking with former Bloomberg TV anchor Betty Liu, Tesla CEO Elon Musk laughed at the idea of BYD ever being able to compete with Tesla. In later years, he seemed to have softened his stance, demonstrating just how far the EV industry has come since Tesla first gained renown in the 2000s for successfully selling and marketing its EV to the modern consumer — inspiring other automakers to follow suit. In turn, the market is filled with increasingly affordable options for people who want to make their next car an EV, and consumers are leaping at the opportunity to purchase a more eco-friendly vehicle that offers cost savings on energy and maintenance. Would you buy an EV if there were no tax incentives for getting one? Definitely No way Depends on the sticker price Depends on the range Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Last year, EV sales worldwide rose by more than 25%, according to the International Energy Agency. Still, Tesla has the largest market cap among automakers by far at more than $1 trillion, and BYD clocks in fourth with a $130.8 billion market cap. Yet BYD has begun to establish itself as a dominant force in international markets, surpassing Tesla in global sales this year, even if Musk remains bullish on his company's ability to rise above the competition. What could this mean for American-made EVs? While Tesla has factories in Europe and China, it does most of its manufacturing in the U.S., creating thousands of jobs. For his part, Musk has criticized the Donald Trump administration's tariffs as a move that will have a "significant impact" on his company, undermining domestic manufacturers' ability to compete with automakers like BYD in international markets. For now, Tesla remains the top-selling EV in the United States despite consumer backlash to Musk's involvement in politics and high-profile mishaps with the company's Robotaxi rollout. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Phoenix woman is on a mission to make a 'safe space' for LGBTQ+ business
Sitting in a bright, open-concept coffee shop filled with plants and quirky artwork, Michele White, executive director of the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, gets caught up on emails and scheduling meetings. Dialog, located on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, serves as one of White's many offices. Her workday rarely follows a predictable rhythm. She moves seamlessly between meetings with business owners and community events. The coffee shop is owned by a fellow member of the chamber, which serves the Valley's queer- and ally-owned small businesses. Their goal is to uplift entrepreneurs by providing them with visibility, support and access to necessary resources. White, who identifies as queer, leads with adaptability. She juggles advocacy, small business assistance, crisis management and emotional support. 'I'm providing therapy on some level a lot of the time,' she said. 'Small business ownership is hard, and we kind of take that on with them.' That empathetic leadership, combined with nearly three decades of nonprofit and fundraising experience, is what keeps the equality chamber moving forward, even in the face of unprecedented political and economic headwinds. Being 'the glue' in queer business community White took the helm of the equality chamber during a time of transformation, not just for the chamber, but for Arizona's LGBTQ+ business community. What started as a volunteer-run group with a handful of members is now a nonprofit with more than 350 active businesses and three paid staffers. According to Matt Parker, the chamber's board president, White has been a transformative force. 'She brings such heart and depth to the role. She doesn't just run a chamber, she uplifts people,' he said. 'Michele has built trust and relationships across the Valley that you simply can't manufacture. She's the glue.' White listens closely to business owners to identify what they need, then matches them with the right organizations — such as funding agencies, mentorship programs, and technical assistance — often serving as a bridge between the entrepreneurs and their tools for success. 'There are so many resources out there for small businesses, but a lot of these agencies don't have a marketing budget to get the word out,' White said. 'Small business owners don't have the time to go searching; their heads are down just trying to survive.' Many of the people White works with need more than a spreadsheet of grants. They need someone who understands, someone who's been there, and White certainly has. Deep roots in local business community White grew up immersed in her family-run small businesses; her father was a locksmith and her mother ran the books. Her childhood was spent working in her family's home office or helping with their side hustle: a catering company born out of a love for cooking. That early exposure to entrepreneurship shaped her perspective on work, White said. 'It gave me the sense that you can just do what fills your soul,' she said. Later, she brought that same energy to her own endeavors. In 2007, just weeks after completing her master's degree in social work, White took her career in a new direction and bought a coffee shop to ensure it stayed open. She co-founded and operated Fair Trade Cafe, the beloved coffee shop on Central Avenue that remains a cornerstone of the city's progressive community. When White learned the cafe needed $10,000 to stay open, she took action. She didn't have the money, but she saw its potential. 'We had two weeks,' she said. 'We didn't raise the full amount, but I got a call that they were there with the padlock. I told them to write the check and I'd cover it.' She ended up taking a second mortgage on her home to save the space, which at the time was among the only safe gathering spots for progressive and queer communities in Phoenix. 'It was important,' she said. 'Downtown Phoenix looked very different back then. We needed that space.' "My guess is that if we hadn't done what we did in 2007, there'd be a Starbucks or something there," she added. White's experience as a business owner is deeply embedded in her leadership at the chamber. It's what allows her to speak the same language as the entrepreneurs she serves, and to anticipate their challenges before they articulate them. She said she knows what it's like to build a business from scratch and make hard decisions under pressure. She's worked as a nonprofit consultant, fundraising coach, and organizational trainer — often juggling multiple jobs at once. 'I don't remember the last time I did just one thing,' she said. 'That's just how I'm wired.' Building resilience For all the victories, White also acknowledged the toll it takes. 'It's emotionally draining,' she admitted, especially now, during President Trump's anti-LBGTQ+ and pro-ICE second term, she said. "There's a lot of fear in our community. And that fear translates directly into the businesses we support. The mental health toll is probably the hardest part," she added. The chamber, like many nonprofits, has had to make tough choices in recent months due to political and financial uncertainty. At one point earlier this year, the chamber scaled back staff to part-time hours. Despite that, White said she remains relentlessly hopeful. The most exciting part of her work, she said, is witnessing collaboration succeed. 'I've been through 9/11, the 2008 crash, COVID, and now this,' she said. 'They're all different causes, but the result is always the same. You have to stay ahead of it.' Keeping LGBTQ businesses in metro Phoenix strong Her ultimate goal is sustainability — for the chamber, for its members and for the broader LGBTQ+ business community in Phoenix. White's leadership philosophy is rooted in one idea: collaboration over competition. 'There are almost 6 million people in this city,' she said. 'There's no reason for us not to collaborate.' She lit up when she talked about partnerships between members, seeing it not only as a success metric for the chamber but also as a reflection of deeper community resilience. 'When I see true collaboration, where everyone is benefitting and the community grows stronger — that's the fun part,' she said. 'That's the reason I keep doing this.' White's commitment to fostering community ties has extended the chamber's influence in recent years. The chamber now provides direct business consulting, funding access assistance, grant navigation and advocacy training. Parker said White has built something lasting by not just reacting to crises, but planning ahead for them. That kind of foresight is rare, he said. As Phoenix continues to grow and change, White remains a powerful force guiding the city's LGBTQ+ business ecosystem forward, always working to ensure that the community she loves not only survives, but thrives. "In our current environment, LGBTQ folks and businesses don't feel safe everywhere. Michele really makes it her mission to make sure there's a safe space for us," Parker said, "I know that's a passion of hers to make sure that we feel safe and feel heard." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Arizona woman is building 'safe space' for LGBTQ+ business Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Forbes
Why Your Electricity Bill May Be Skyrocketing
PHOENIX: The Palo Verde Nuclear generating plant, until recently the nation's largest nuclear power plant, is seen between two Saguaro cactus in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by) Getty Images Over the past month, friends, family, and acquaintances have asked why their electricity bills have skyrocketed. One friend wrote, 'I am curious if you have any thoughts about why electric bills are doubling and, in some cases, tripling? People in my area are in shock. In two months, my bill doubled.' I live in Phoenix, and we actually have reasonable electric bills because we are served by the Palo Verde Generating Station. Despite the intense heat here, my electric bill never rises above $300 except in July. More on that later. That's not the case everywhere. From the Midwest to the Southeast, people are seeing bills that are several times higher than that. What's driving these sudden spikes isn't just 'using more power' or 'a hot summer.' The reality is more complex, and it won't be easy to solve. Here are the five biggest forces reshaping your electric bill. The surge in artificial intelligence has unleashed a gold rush in data center construction, and it's quickly becoming one of the most powerful forces driving electricity demand. These facilities are energy-intensive, often consuming 30 times more electricity than traditional data centers. A single AI center can draw as much power as 80,000 homes, and by 2030, data centers are projected to require 30 GW of new capacity—the equivalent of 30 nuclear reactors. To meet this demand, utilities are scrambling to add transmission lines and upgrade grid infrastructure, with those costs inevitably showing up on customer bills. At the same time, utilities that sell power into competitive markets—rather than operating under regulated rate caps—are seeing a windfall. Texas-based NRG Energy, for example, has seen its stock price triple in just two years, as soaring wholesale prices boosted profits. Natural gas powers about 40% of U.S. electricity generation, and U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports have risen by nearly a factor of seven in the past seven years to over 13 billion cubic feet per day. That means when Asian or European buyers bid up LNG cargoes, U.S. households indirectly feel it in their electricity bills. Put simply, you're now competing with the world for the same fuel—and global demand is strong. A year ago, at this time, the spot price of natural gas in the U.S. was about $1.00 per Million Btu cheaper than it is this year. That translates directly into higher electricity bills this year. July 2025 saw record-breaking temperatures across much of the country, with a 'heat dome' trapping high humidity and driving peak demand to 758,149 MWh in a single hour—a national record. Air conditioning loads surged, and in many regions, utilities had to buy expensive spot-market electricity to meet demand. That cost gets socialized across monthly bills. The U.S. grid is old and straining under new loads. More than 70% of transmission lines and transformers are over 30 years old. Replacing and upgrading them is both essential and expensive. Delivery charges—the part of your bill that covers the poles, wires, and transformers needed to move electricity—have climbed sharply in recent years. For households, that means even if fuel costs ease or demand moderates, the higher cost of maintaining and upgrading the grid will likely keep electricity prices from returning to the levels we saw just a few years ago. Finally, policy isn't keeping up. The repeal of clean energy tax credits under the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' slowed renewable deployment. At the same time, permitting bottlenecks have delayed new transmission and generation. Layer on top of that the electrification push—EVs, heat pumps, electric appliances—and electricity demand is rising faster than utilities can build capacity. The mismatch creates structural upward pressure on rates, regardless of short-term market moves. While millions of Americans are grappling with sticker shock, there are notable exceptions—regions that enjoy stable or even declining electricity prices, thanks to their unique energy mix. Phoenix is one of them. As previously noted, despite triple-digit temperatures, my own bill rarely exceeds $300, largely because the Palo Verde Generating Station provides stable, low-cost nuclear power. Nuclear plants offer a huge advantage: their fuel (uranium) isn't tied to volatile global gas markets, and their reactors run around the clock at high capacity factors. It also doesn't hurt that Arizona has seen a 187% increase in wind and solar power over the past decade, and the state ranks 3rd nationally in installed battery storage capacity. Other regions also benefit from abundant local resources: Idaho: The lowest average rates in the nation at just 11.9 cents per kWh, thanks to hydroelectric power (which can be impacted by droughts). Pacific Northwest (WA, OR): Wholesale prices are falling in 2025 due to strong hydropower and growing solar generation. Texas (ERCOT): Despite surging demand, competitive market dynamics and solar buildout are keeping wholesale prices flat or slightly lower. By contrast, states heavily reliant on natural gas—California, New Jersey, Ohio—are seeing double-digit rate hikes as LNG exports and peak demand drive up costs. It's worth pausing on nuclear. Yes, the upfront capital costs are high, but once plants are built, their operating costs are remarkably stable—about 9.3 cents per kWh, compared to 7 cents for gas and 9.5 cents for coal. Nuclear also avoids carbon pricing and doesn't need backup generation like intermittent renewables. In a grid increasingly stressed by AI demand, climate extremes, and geopolitical risks, nuclear's ability to provide price stability, energy security, and reliability is hard to match. So, why did your bill suddenly double? It's not just about running your air conditioner a little harder. It's about structural shifts in the energy system: AI data centers reshaping demand LNG exports reshaping fuel markets Heat waves stressing supply Aging infrastructure raising delivery costs Policy bottlenecks slowing new capacity At the same time, regions anchored by nuclear or hydro have been shielded from the worst price spikes. That contrast underscores an important truth: the U.S. doesn't face a single energy reality—it faces many, depending on local resources and policy choices. Unless utilities, regulators, and policymakers find smarter ways to expand capacity and modernize the grid, the broader trend is clear: for many households, higher electricity bills aren't just a fluke—they're the new normal.
