Blog & Insights

Why Leading OEMs Are Choosing White Room Over Cleanroom for Certain Devices
October 27, 2025You want capacity and cost back without sacrificing quality Your team is under pressure to add throughput, hit launch dates, and hold the line on cost. For non-sterile builds, the fastest lever is environmental right-sizing. A controlled white room preserves the discipline that influences yield and product performance. It removes classification overhead that slows changeovers ... Read moreRead Article

3 Proven Ways Operations Leaders Reduce Overhead in 2025
September 29, 2025Rising labor costs, tight margins, and unpredictable supply chains are putting pressure on operations leaders. For mid-sized manufacturers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, trimming overhead without sacrificing quality has become a business imperative. The good news? Proven strategies exist that cut costs while keeping your floor running smoothly. MDI works with operations executives every day to ... Read moreRead Article

The QA Leader’s Checklist: Proactive Quality Steps and a Rapid Response Playbook
August 25, 2025Prevent More, Fix Faster: The QA Balancing Act You’re tasked with preventing defects before they occur and also managing any issues that slip through. It’s a balancing act between being proactive to build quality into your processes and being prepared to react swiftly when something goes wrong. Quality assurance leaders in manufacturing carry a huge ... Read moreRead Article

How to Navigate the Manufacturing Labor Shortage in Minnesota and Wisconsin
July 30, 2025Manufacturing Labor Shortage Trends in Minnesota and Wisconsin If you run a mid-sized manufacturing business in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you’re probably feeling the pressure of the ongoing labor shortage. Even though more people have entered the workforce post-pandemic, the number of open manufacturing jobs still far exceeds the number of available workers. In Wisconsin, ... Read moreRead Article

NPS 2024
December 18, 2024We are thrilled to announce that MDI has achieved an exceptional Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 93%! This outstanding score reflects the deep trust and satisfaction our customers have in our products and services, indicating their strong willingness to recommend us. What Does This Mean for You? Exceptional Service: Our unwavering commitment to quality and ... Read moreRead Article

Special Olympics Athletes to Explore Careers through Virtual Reality at Inclusive Work & Resource Fair
July 4, 2024On Saturday, June 22, MDI’s Unified Work team provided Special Olympics athletes with a unique opportunity to explore various career paths through virtual reality. This event took place at Stillwater Area High School as part of the Special Olympics Minnesota 2024 Inclusive Work & Resource Fair hosted at the Summer Games. An Innovative Approach ... Read moreRead Article

From Volunteering to Leading, MDI has Been Key to My Career Success
May 30, 2024By: Steve Reinardy On Saturday, May 18, I was proud to graduate from the Partners in Policymaking class from the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities that I’ve been taking for the past eight months. Full of top-notch, A+ speakers, this class taught people how to be an effective advocate when talking to leaders who ... Read moreRead Article

Andriel Dees Joins MDI Board of Directors
May 30, 2024Andriel Dees, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, Minnesota State System Education: Hampton University, William Mitchell College of Law Minneapolis-based nonprofit manufacturer MDI is excited to announce the appointment of Andriel Dees to its Board of Directors. In this role, Andriel will provide guidance and oversight to the organization as it carries out its mission ... Read moreRead Article

Alan Hupp Joins MDI Board of Directors
May 30, 2024Alan Hupp, Owner, Hupp Holdings LLC Education: Miami University, United States Military Academy Minneapolis-based nonprofit manufacturer MDI is excited to announce the appointment of Alan Hupp to its Board of Directors. In this role, Alan will provide guidance and oversight to the organization as it carries out its mission of creating meaningful employment opportunities for ... Read moreRead Article

Unified Work | Why Soft Skills Matter in Today’s Workplace
May 30, 2024In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the importance of soft skills cannot be overstated. While technical skills and qualifications are undoubtedly essential, it’s often the soft skills that set individuals apart and pave the way for long-term success in their careers. At Unified Work, we understand the significance of cultivating these skills, which is why ... Read moreRead Article

MDI employees show up for a day of advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol
April 15, 2024On Thursday, April 4, more than 70 employees from MDI locations in Hibbing, Grand Rapids and Minneapolis came together for a day of civic engagement at the Minnesota State Capitol. Advocacy – the process of engaging with elected officials and government agencies to encourage a specific action – is an important part of civic ... Read moreRead Article

Plymouth resident shows value of those with disabilities in the workforce
April 1, 2024By Sun Sailor, March 29, 2024 Matt Kyrllis completed a Minnetonka internship with the help of MDI’s Unified Work program. Plymouth resident Matt Kyrllis is taking his future into his own hands with the help of Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI), a manufacturing company based in Minneapolis with a nonprofit mission to empower people with ... Read moreRead Article