Advantage Kentucky Alliance (AKA) is based out of Western Kentucky University. AKA is a not-for-profit organization that is the network affiliate for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program for the State of Kentucky. Support comes through the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AKA brings manufacturing Best Practices to companies across Kentucky to help increase growth, decrease non-value-added waste and implement change allowing for sustainable manufacturing.