HomePlates Worldwide works with wholesale buyers, designers, and restaurants to create their own line of custom products.  From place mats and drinkware to specialty gifts and decorative accessories, their  products are designed for commercial and residential use.

HomePlate presents the unique opportunity for wholesale buyers, designers, and restaurants to create their own line of custom products.  They have the capability to print any image from full color photography to any graphic, logo, or design of choice. HomePlates Worldwide can create custom product for any event.

Some of their clients include:  BBC America, House of Blues, Live Nation, Laura Ashley, British Home Stores, John Lewis, Beatrix Potter, The Coca-Cola Company, and many others.

Interested in staying ahead of the curve on the latest topics in technology and manufacturing industry best practices?

Internet of Manufacturing North America is the only event bringing together C/VP Level business and technical executives from leading manufacturers, to share best practices and inspire new revenue opportunities. The two-day conference and pre-event welcome day deliver high-level presentations, hands-on and interactive sessions, a live tour, as well as extended networking and team-building sessions to an audience of pre-qualified manufacturers.

Illinois manufacturer joins class of distinction for overall commitment to performance excellence.

Rockford-based manufacturer, Concentric AB, was named a 2016 ILPEx Silver Award for Progress toward Excellence recipient, an honor awarded by the ILPEx Recognition Program.  The manufacturer’s ILPEx Award for Excellence application was evaluated against the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence by the ILPEx Board of Examiners as part of the annual application process.

The ILPEx Silver Award for Progress toward Excellence is granted to those companies who demonstrate progress in building a systematic and complete business approach based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, specifically addressing Leadership; Strategy; Customer engagement; Measurement, analysis and knowledge management; Workforce; Operations; and Results.

Aurora Circuits, Inc.  has over 50 years of experience in Printed Circuit Fabrication. They provide Advanced Thermal Management and Interconnect Technology Solutions for printed circuit designs and specialty products. Aurora Circuits is a fabricator of printed circuit boards. Prototypes thru Production; including Quick-Turn Proto requests; Single and Double Sided, Heavy Copper, Polymer Thick Film (PTF), Aluminum/Metal Clad thermal management and Multi-Layer. Aurora Circuits provides in-house engineering, multi-layer lamination, plating, electrical test, and more.

Written by Gretchen Clifton, IMEC Technical Specialist

The new ISO 9001:2015 standard places more emphasis on understanding our processes; how they impact our business from an individual process standpoint as well as how they integrate with other processes. The key to success is creating processes that are efficient and effective, integrate well with others for a cohesive flow from start to finish, and ultimately, provide the results we need.

Many companies have a high level process map that fulfills the requirements of ISO or TS, or perhaps as an outcome of a value stream mapping activity. They created it, but has it really been used for anything?

We Are Lions (WAL) showcases the talents of artists with disabilities and non-profits that provide services for this community. All of their products are designed by people with disabilities from around the world. The We Are Lions’ model is simple: for every product sold, the artists and non-profits receive 50% of the profits. Not only does the special needs community design these products, but they are manufactured, in part, by people of all abilities as well!

We Are Lions believes art has the power to transcend any boundary in the known universe. Their mission is to harness this power and use it for good. By creating art, the most universal language, on canvases everyone has access to, they give people a platform to share their stories. Some of their products include t-shirts, shower curtains, throw pillows and more!

Have you been contemplating an export program to Canada? Start with a closer look at key strategies for success as highlighted by The Hatchery.  On February 21st from 4-7pm, The Hatchery will host an insightful workshop on expanding your food business into the Canadian market.

This event will introduce information on Canadian food, restaurant trends, labeling regulations, incentive programs, and more. They will also provide knowledge about valuable financial and distribution strategies to allow a successful launch and growth of your business in the Canadian markets. This workshop will feature an industry specialist from Toronto who will be sharing his insight on the market.

Headquartered in the Midwest, AOS is a social enterprise that provides secondary contract packaging services nationwide. Their core mission is to offer opportunities to people that may have experienced employment blocks in the past. These include, but are not limited to, wounded warriors, military veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those that have been at a disadvantage with a strong desire to create a positive career history. In addition to secondary contract packaging, the company provides a wide range of labor and resource management solutions in a socially responsible manner. Their custom services give corporations the flexibility to outsource their packaging needs while identifying cost savings and ways to streamline productivity.

Some of the contract packaging services include: Labeling, High-Speed Shrink Wrapping, Shrink Sleeving and Banding, Bundle Wrapping, Pallet Displays, Blister Packaging, Kitting, Gift Set Assembly, Rework, and Inspection. Advanced Outsource Solutions Inc. has access to approximately 150,000 square feet of warehouse space and offers highly competitive speed-to-market abilities. They operate with a competitive corporate structure and a management team of specialized experts. Their employees follow strict SOP’s/GMP’sTM to ensure quality work and safety in every project, and their robust warehouse management system houses lot code traceability and can recall products in a matter of seconds. The leadership team at Advanced Outsource Solutions Inc. is comprised of individuals who have worked for major consumer packaged goods companies. Averaging 15 years of experience each, team members pride themselves on a “do whatever it takes to get the job done right and on time” culture!

Founded in 1987,  Tri Lite’s dock lights and signals, warning lights, back-up alarms, and sirens can be found on loading docks, forklifts, emergency vehicles, and in an array of other business and industrial settings. Their durable, high-quality components and accessories are made in the U.S.A. to be sold globally through dealers, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers.

Tri Lite, Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty lighting and electrical products for the material handling, office supply, and safety markets.  Tri Lite, Inc. manufactures specialty electrical products including loading dock lights, portable task lights, warning lights and beacons, and personal heaters.

Monitor Technologies provides practical solutions for bin level indication, level measurement, inventory management, solids flow monitoring, moisture measurement, dust monitoring and bin aeration for the storage and processing of most powders & bulk solids as well as some liquids and slurries. For over 55 years Monitor Technologies has aimed to provide high quality products, extensive application support and trusted customer service.

Some of their top products include: Model KA / KAX rotary paddle level switches, SafePoint fail-safe rotary paddle level sensors, TrueCap RF capacitance level probes, SiloPatrol plumb bob level measurement sensors and inventory management.

Some of their special capabilities include their expert advice, based on over 55 years of knowledge, in powders and bulk solids, 2-Year Warranty on most items, Full-featured website and blog packed full with information and solutions, and a service department capable of in-factory product repairs or field service. They also provide an experienced product engineering and design department, as well as quick delivery for most standard products. They are also an ISO 9001 registered quality system.

Written by Emilia Linardakis, Managing Partner - Language Advisors Network Group

Manufacturing is one of the most lucrative industries in the U.S. and there are about 251,857 manufacturing firms currently in the United States. Due to migration patterns, language and cultural diversity are becoming a theme in the majority of the workplaces. The manufacturing industry is one of the most diversified sectors of economy with a vast number of immigrant workers. 12% or 23.8 million immigrants work in the manufacturing industry. These workers have either no knowledge or very limited proficiency in English. The number of non-English speakers in the US has grown considerably in the last few years due to the influx of immigration levels that continue to increase drastically based on the Census Bureau. Foreign-born workforce is becoming a vital part of the US economy, especially in the manufacturing sector. National Census data shows that there are nearly 64.7 million U.S. residents who speak a language other than English at home; that makes about 21.5% of the total U.S. population. Approximately 46% of immigrant workers are considered limited English proficiency (LEP). Over the last two decades the types of jobs available for workers with limited English proficiency have changed. Many U.S. manufacturing jobs that used to be performed from LEP employees have now been outsourced.

For over 60 years, Aluminum Case Company has manufactured solid aluminum cases, chests, and enclosures for all types of clients: from the girl next door to Fortune 100 companies, as well as our nation's military. Aluminum Case Company manufactures aluminum cases engineered to meet the needs of the most demanding customer. They also manufacture a stock line that includes solid aluminum carrying cases, footlockers, tool chests, storage boxes, photo/print cases, and shipping cases. Their unique manufacturing
process also allows them to customize your case needs quickly and economically. Customization includes: any color finish, special hardware, wheels, extendable handles, logos, nameplates, custom foam inserts, custom metal inserts, or anything else you can imagine!

McLaughlin Body Company provides North America with engineering, fabrication and testing of operator protection systems, agriculture and military cabs (both armored and unarmored), roll over protection systems ROPS/OPS, enclosures and metal components for construction, military and agriculture industries. McLaughlin Body Company also provides a wide range of complex metal components and assemblies which include stairs, railings and platforms. Some of their top products include manufactured Cabs, roll over protection systems and large assemblies.