Arcutek is a technology solutions provider to business, government, education and healthcare organizations in the United States. Arcutek sells computer hardware, software and professional services.

They also provide technology research and consulting services for both commercial and public sector organizations. They also assist in areas like high performance computing, cybersecurity and computer networking for both commercial and government customers.

They take pride in the fact that their customers benefit from free IT consulting and affordable technology products and services. They strive to help any business design and implement a wireless network, then protect it with various security solutions. Their goal is to make IT simple so that customers can stay focused on growing their business.

Your Day to Open Doors & Open Minds

A recent study by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte revealed that more than 8 out of 10 Americans acknowledge the importance of the manufacturing industry but less than one-third of those surveyed would encourage their children to pursue a manufacturing career due to concerns around job security and stability, weak career paths, and poor pay.

As anyone close to the modern manufacturing industry knows, these concerns couldn’t be further from reality!

Creekside Vineyards Winery specializes in whole grape wine production using grapes predominantly grown in Illinois. Experience Winederful at “one of the best kept secrets in the Quad Cities”, says the Illinois Department of Tourism. Offering three venues at two locations to sip, savor, & stay a while, they invite guests to . Offering three venues at two locations to sip, savor, & stay a while, they invite guests to explore the realm of wine, wanderlust, and hidden valley hideaways.

Celebrate & gather at the outdoor Wine Terrace for wine, craft beer, & live entertainment, & a host of special events. Create a memorable night at Creekside Vineyards Inn; indulge in one of their getaway packages. Creekside Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room offers travelers a stopover of friendly conversation, gift shop items, and extraordinary, artisan wines.

Dean Harms is the newest addition to the IMEC team, bringing a strong background in business strategy, marketing and cross-functional improvements to northern Illinois organizations. As a Regional Manager with more than 30 years of experience working in OEM & MRO markets, Dean has a passion for engaging customers through diverse channels of communication in order to provide them with the best possible solution.

Written by Chris Blaylock, CPA and Partner - Wipfli LLC

Take Advantage of Opportunities for R&D Credit

First enacted in 1981, the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit is one of the most valuable tax credits available to businesses today. While in the past, the R&D credit had expired eight times and was extended 15 times, it was finally made permanent in the PATH Act of 2015. Its permanent status makes planning much more feasible for companies intending to apply for it.

And apply they do. In fact, U.S. companies claim $7.5 billion in R&D credits annually. While many large manufacturing and distribution companies have taken advantage of the credit for years, smaller and midsize companies can also qualify. 

The result? Big tax savings: a 20 percent credit for qualified research expenses exceeding a base period based on gross receipts and qualified expenditures, or a 14 percent alternative simplified credit if certain base levels of R&D expenses are exceeded.

Oxxford Clothes, a born and bred company that began in 1916, has been located in Chicago for nearly 100 years. Every day bespoke and custom garments are created for customers that have included Presidents, business leaders, and celebrities across America along with nations around the world. Each garment features the finest fabrics around the world, from Holland & Sherry to Loro Piana. The Oxxford Clothes brand name can be found in retailers in America along with our Chicago Showroom and New York Flagship location. With every individual piece, hundreds of hours are put into it; from the pattern to each stitch that is put into the suit. Along with this hard work and craftsmanship, Oxxford Clothes is proud to say each garment is handmade in America.

Central Specialties Ltd. (CSL) designs and delivers a full spectrum of products to enhance food service and hospitality equipment needs. Launched in 2005, Central Specialties is the result of a collaborative merger between CSL’S Gaychrome-branded food service product lines and Tubular Engineering’s hospitality offerings.

The Gaychrome brand was founded in 1927 and provided plastic, wood and metal products for the food service and hospitality industries until it merged with Central Specialties Co. in 1982. The Tublar Engineering product line was a perfect complement to the CSL Foodservice and Hospitality product line. The combination of businesses offers an excellent assortment of quality products. The following products are made in the USA: KidSitter, and plastic high chairs, Easy-Mover bellman carts, wood coat racks and valets.

Primrose Candy is a family owned candy manufacturer since 1928. Primarily a hard candy manufacturer for the first 40 years of the companies history, Primrose expanded in the late 1960’s to include chewy candies like caramel and salt water taffy. A few decades later they then added popcorn confections.

Primrose manufacturers confections to the highest quality standards using both old world candy making techniques and state of the art equipment in its 130,000 square foot facility. Over 80% of the business is derived from private label and contract manufacturing. Thus, Primrose not only has to meet its own high standards, but also the scrutiny of those who put their name on their products.

In addition to candy, Primrose is also making private label nutraceuticals, manufacturing candy base, and adding various active ingredients.

What will happen when you to refine, standardize, streamline and integrate all of your business processes across finance and accounting, IT, HR, R&D, sales, distribution, and other departments with an effective ERP system? You will see greater efficiency in your practices with an organization performing at its peak.

"Before implementing a new ERP or manufacturing information system, a company should recognize that a new system, alone, cannot solve work-arounds and inefficient processes. Investing time to improve your internal workflow in conjunction with the new system will allow for a smoother transition to a more effective implemented solution. Don’t let fear of failure or going over budget keep you from taking your company to the next level." – John Remsey, Technical Specialist (IMEC)

How much time does your company spend gathering and distributing information?

Belmont Plating Works, Inc. was founded in 1947 by an industrious family man with a vision for the future. A vision of a growing company based on quality and service. Belmont Plating Works has grown to what is now one of the largest barrel zinc plating facilities in the Midwest. Its expansive facility has more than 78,000 square feet and is located on 4 acres in the heart of the Midwest manufacturing world.

Belmont takes pride in their quality and service, and intends to continue this trend. With a commitment to keep abreast of new technologies and expanded services, they aim to continue to grow and maintain leadership in the metal finishing industry. Belmont Plating Works is still a solid family owned business with a vision for the future. Belmont Plating Works Inc. focuses predominantly on industrial plating and metal finishing.

Written by Andrea Belk Olsen, MSC and CEO of Pragmadik
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olsonandrea1/

While many companies have a set of established “organizational values”, they often fall short of effectively shaping a set of behaviors that drive customer-centricity. 

Traditional organizational values are usually broad, covering general principles including things like:

• Loyalty
• Honesty
• Open Mindedness
• Reliability
• Dependability

The best managers are always seeking cost-saving opportunities within their manufacturing operations. Of all of those opportunities, there is no better cost to mitigate than that of poor quality. Lost labor hours and scrapping valuable food materials contributes zero value to your goals.

Therefore, to eliminate waste and improve quality, you must maintain a strategic approach which incorporates the following list to help improve product quality in food manufacturing.

Rieke Office Interiors strives to be a partner in providing functional solutions with high impact in any workplace. As a manufacturer, their approach is much different than the typical contract furniture dealership. They understand today’s workplace trends to provide an environment that facilitates forward thinking, collaboration between teams and increased employee retention.

With a full spectrum of services, Rieke Office Interiors can help any client through every aspect of their project. Rieke’s turnkey planning and installation services are available to anyone, no matter what stage your project is in. They are proud to be fully committed in providing high quality services and solutions – all within budget.

Did you know that 2.78 million fatalities occur in workplaces around the world each year? Keep your company from becoming part of a statistic and reduce your work related fatalities and injuries; learn about the new ISO 45001, released in March 2018.

By embarking on the adoption of ISO 45001, an occupational health and safety management system, you can begin to transform workplace processes that can often lead to work-related tragedies and injuries. This new standard builds on the OHSAS 18001 framework, while integrating health and safety responsibilities into the management of an organization. The new standard also focuses on risk management, which will help organizations become more proactive in ensuring safe work environments and earn the reputation as a “safe place to work”, leading to reduced injuries and increased productivity.

AAA Tool and Machine Co. is a full service tool design and build shop as well as a metal stamper.  They work closely with each customer to understand their unique needs in order to provide the desired solution. Along with this, they also specialize in design and build of metal stamping dies, tooling, and fixtures of all types.  AAA utilizes the latest software in order to design the most robust tooling.  They also support a variety of machining capabilities (including EDM) to provide individual details or production machining jobs.  To support their metal stamping operation, they have 7 presses (Minster and Bliss) ranging from 45 Ton up to 200 Ton presses.

AAA Tool and Machine Co. has been in operation since 1967.  Due to this, they have developed long term relationships with many of their customers based on the ability to deliver strong solutions.  AAA Tool and Machine Company’s mission is: “To provide the highest quality products and services at a competitive price.”

In a world where information security threats are constantly looming, it is important for companies – and required for manufacturers with Department of Defense contracts – to ensure they are protected and compliant. With the December 31, 2017 deadline for U.S Department of Defense’s cybersecurity compliance behind us, government contractors are required to demonstrate compliance in order to keep their contracts and gain new ones in 2018.

“Manufacturers have a variety of tools available to help pursue comprehensive organizational security, starting with cybersecurity. The first step is to determine one’s existing cybersecurity protections and tools and identify easy gaps to fill. Taking protective steps can decrease the time and resources spent on a security breach.”  - John Remsey, Senior Technical Specialist (IMEC)