Alliance will enable small and mid-sized companies to create jobs and improve their global competitiveness
Illinois’ premiere full service manufacturing association is combining resources with the state’s manufacturing improvement experts to provide Chicago land companies with new tools, capabilities and services to increase productivity and grow.
Under a new alliance, members of the Tooling and Manufacturing Association (TMA) will have rapid access to implementation-training and consulting services provided by the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC). Part of a nationwide network of federally-funded non-profit organizations, IMEC was recently awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to serve the Chicago land market. IMEC’s expansion to the region makes it Illinois’ exclusive provider of quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and growth services under the MEP umbrella.
“TMA’s partnership with IMEC is an ideal arrangement,” said Brian McGuire, TMA President. “Working together, we’ll be able to leverage IMEC’s proven business-building capabilities for our members and other manufacturers in Chicago land, and provide more companies with the hands-on expertise they need to be productive and globally competitive.”
Founded in 1925, TMA provides member companies with education, advocacy, training, employee benefits, human resources assistance, and pooled purchasing and insurance services. Its membership is comprised of the leading manufacturers of products and services for all manufacturing sectors. TMA has 1000 members, ranging from smaller sole-proprietorships, to large multi-plant corporations.
IMEC’s full-time industry specialists, many who have recognized credentials in areas such as lean manufacturing and six sigma – will work on-site at TMA-member facilities, providing them with the capability to improve quality and efficiency, contain costs, develop new products and growth strategies, and more. Since being created in 1996, IMEC has generated more than $1 billion in productivity, sales and cost-saving economic benefits for Illinois manufacturers.
“Through our collaboration with TMA, more companies will get the hands-on help they need to respond to today’s competitive pressures and position for long-term success,” said Bob Weinstein, IMEC President-Emeritus. “I can’t think of a better organization to join forces with to extend IMEC’s capabilities into the Chicago land region, than TMA. We’re excited about this partnership and the results we can generate together.”
The two organizations will also produce information workshops and webinars, and IMEC will market TMA member-benefits to its clients. Several IMEC specialists and project managers will be based at TMA’s headquarters in Park Ridge.
