Matchmaking manufacturers for supply chain success

Posted by Amy Fitzgerald on Jul 31, 2015 12:37:21 PM

Manufacturing matchmaking has been on the forefront of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center’s event calendar continuing now into its second year.  IMEC has been reaching out to a diverse group of partners throughout the state in an effort for manufacturing representatives to meet with potential new customers and suppliers.  IMEC is positioned to help manufacturers increase sales opportunities and gain a footing in regional and global supply chains.

Manufacturing MatchmakingThe matchmaking and networking events  have a structured opportunity to network with potential customers and suppliers by sharing information, samples and more; similar to “speed-dating” but for suppliers and end users.

A key feature in a matchmaking event is the potential new sales benefits coming from the one-on-one meetings.  However, the sales potential isn’t the only advantage.  Manufacturers have a great opportunity to become part of a regional supply chain as well by engaging and becoming part of a local OEMs network.

By utilizing a regional supply chain companies can ensure that products are available when needed, shortening lead times in the delivery of goods. Furthermore, the regional supply chain planning and distribution eliminates constraints of ordering products in small quantities, provides suppliers with orderly and on-time forecasts, and presents a single, regional point of contact for suppliers on all supply chain issues.

Working closely with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Engineering and Selsius Corporate and Career Training, the latest matchmaking event will take place in Edwardsville at the SIUE campus on August 12. Follow this link for further details.   http://www.imec.org/Event-Detail.cfm?event=232

In addition to the Made in Elk Grove manufacturing expo on October 12, IMEC partnered with the Village of Elk Grove to organize a matchmaking event to correspond with their local event.  To learn more and register please use the following link.  http://www.imec.org/Event-Detail.cfm?event=244

Having partnered with the Chicago Metro Metal Consortium in a series of these events throughout the Chicagoland and northern Illinois, IMEC and the CMMC held the first event in Chicago in December 2014. Follow this link for more information on the next event being held on October 20 in Grayslake.  http://www.imec.org/Event-Detail.cfm?event=242

On November 12 a new regional matchmaking event will take place in the Quad Cities at the iWireless center in Moline.  IMEC has partnered with the Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Services as well as the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. To register and learn more, follow this link.  http://www.imec.org/Event-Detail.cfm?event=243

Amy Fitzgerald

Written by Amy Fitzgerald

Topics: supply chain, continuous improvement

    Subscribe to Email Updates:

    Stay Connected:

    Posts by Category