New standard will put Illinois manufacturers on the path to Energy Efficiency

Utilizing the Plan-Do-Check-Act process for continual improvement, the International Standards Organization (ISO) has officially introduced the ISO 50001 standard for enabling organizations to reduce energy consumption.  As part of a pilot demonstration project at a large Illinois manufacturing company, IMEC specialists have been directly involved in developing and testing the new standard.

Deadline to Register to Rev C Standard is July 1, 2012

According to the International Aerospace Quality Group’s (IAQG) timeline, manufacturers currently certified to the AS9100 Rev B standard must upgrade to the Rev C requirements by July 1, 2012.  After this date, the current Rev B standard will no longer be recognized.  AS9100 Rev C (AS9100:2009) incorporates the ISO9001:2008 changes, expanding the scope to include Aviation, Space, and Defense as well as land and sea based systems.

Here are a few of the key changes required under AS9100 Rev C (AS9100:2009):

MEP generates $32 in benefits for every $1 invested

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program generated $32 in new sales growth for companies that received assistance, for every $1 invested in the program by the federal government, according to a survey of companies that utilized MEP services. In 2009, manufacturing companies that hired MEP specialists created or retained 72,000 jobs, increased or retained $8.4-billion in sales, leveraged $1.9 billion in new private-sector investment and generated cost savings of $1.3 billion.

Two out of every three MEP clients reported that they are very likely to recommend MEP to others," says the survey conducted by market research firm Turner Marketing Inc.

2009 report showed Illinois manufacturers lagging in race to be globally competitive

Updated study will examine industry progress in post-recession economy

 A groundbreaking study that examined the readiness of the state’s manufacturers to compete in the global economy has been refreshed and launched to the state’s manufacturers this week.  The 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing Study will evaluate the progress Illinois companies have made in weathering the economic downturn and implementing the world class operating strategies that will enable them to succeed over the next decade.