THE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT MANUFACTURING SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PARTNERS IN AN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION WILL ORGANIZE AND LEAD EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS THAT INSTRUCT MANUFACTURING SERVICE PROVIDERS REGARDING BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES AND TO CONDUCT STUDIES AND SURVEYS TO IMPROVE RESEARCH SUPPORTING SMALL MANUFACTURERS.