Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Patrick Gallagher to visit with Chicago manufacturing leaders

Posted by Amy Fitzgerald on Jul 12, 2012 11:20:06 AM

On July 17th Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will make a stop in Chicago as part of a multi-city visit this summer to explore regional manufacturing facilities. The Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC), the Illinois center for the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, will host the director. "NIST is such a critical resource for advanced manufacturing competitiveness," said David Boulay, President of IMEC. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to show the director the great prospects for American manufacturing success as well as hear about the challenges."

During the visit, Gallagher, along with representatives from the City of Chicago, will tour PortionPac Corporation, a sustainability-focused manufacturer of highly concentrated, pre-measured cleaning solutions. The company's leaders are pleased with the opportunity to share their manufacturing processes with the director. PortionPac is an exemplar of small manufacturing success. With its commitment to workforce excellence, recognized by INC. magazine's 2010 Winning Workplace, as well as deep commitment to sustainability, the company truly highlights the keys to success for the next generation manufacturer.

Gallagher will also take part in a luncheon at the Transco Products world headquarters in downtown Chicago. Along with Ed Wolbert, President and CEO for Transco Products, the director will be joined by a state commerce representative and various manufacturing leaders from Illinois as they discuss advanced manufacturing policy and future trends. "Public/private partnerships such as those offered by NIST-MEP and its Illinois affiliate IMEC, are key to the success of American manufacturing," said Wolbert. "They enable companies like Transco to leverage key resources and address business challenges in the global market place."

Gallagher provides high-level oversight and direction for NIST as the agency promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology. The luncheon will provide an opportunity for manufacturing leaders from diverse industries to discuss the importance of manufacturing innovation to the future of industrial production for Illinois and the United States.

Amy Fitzgerald

Written by Amy Fitzgerald

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