Manufacturing leaders seeking to take advantage of expected increases in demand can get access to proven methods to increase productivity by participating in IMEC’s signature Continuous Improvement Series. This unique program, which trains company leaders on best practices on cost-containment and operating efficiency, starts January 28^th at Northern Illinois University’s Rockford Center.

“Rockford manufacturers are under intense pressure to produce smarter as a way to increase margins,” said Roger Shrum, an IMEC project specialist.  "One way they can differentiate in today’s price-competitive environment is to deliver at the lowest cost possible.  The techniques we will be transferring in the CI Series will give manufacturers the tools to be more flexible in meeting the demands of their customers.”

In December, IMEC co-sponsored a forum in Chicago that focused on strategies that are being undertaken by Illinois manufacturers to take advantage of emerging opportunities as the economy recovers.  It featured a panel of manufacturing leaders, Selim Bassoul, CEO of Middleby Corp.; James Bodman, CEO of Vienna Beef; Janice Christiansen, CEO of J.C. Schultz Enterprises Inc./The FlagSource; and Joseph James Slawek, CEO of FONA International.  The discussion was moderated by John Brandt, CEO and Founder of the MPI Group, which studies leadership in effective organizations. Brandt is an internationally recognized expert on manufacturing and technology and is former publisher and editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek magazine.

The group discussed plans for R &D and innovation, increasing inventory efficiencies in the supply chain, and hiring and training best in class workforces.  Each expressed optimism about the future, but talked about the tough choices that they and many other manufacturing leaders had to make to remain viable during the recession, including reducing employment, deferring maintenance on key equipment and delaying investments in improving operational effectiveness.   These manufacturers, however, are bucking the trend with their performance in the face of touch business conditions.  Some highlights:

20 year veteran of manufacturing and economic development to lead state's premier business services organization

[Peoria, IL] – David Boulay has been named President of the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC). Currently the Deputy Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Boulay succeeds Bob Weinstein, who will remain with IMEC as President-Emeritus until retiring in August of 2011.

Prior to joining the North Carolina MEP, Boulay held leadership positions with several Ohio manufacturing companies, and served for six years as Manager of Business and Workforce Development at The Ohio State University South Centers.  In North Carolina, he managed an 80-member staff of business outreach and project specialists who provided continuous improvement consulting and training services to the state’s manufacturers.  Under Boulay’s leadership, the North Carolina MEP in 2009 generated $346 million in verified sales, cost savings and productivity benefits for its manufacturing clients, helping create or retain nearly 1,300 high wage jobs.