Manufacturing leaders from the greater Chicago area, in addition to Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick Gallagher, IMEC President David Boulay, and representatives from the City of Chicago and state commerce department gathered for a duo of manufacturing-focused events last week.

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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.