Innovation, state support for manufacturing programs among the key discussion topics
Enercon Engineering, an IMEC client, hosted a roundtable discussion focused on the Central Illinois manufacturing industry and highlighting the company's success. A group of Central Illinois lawmakers attended the meeting along with experts from the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC) and Enercon leadership.
The East Peoria based Enercon has experienced revenue growth of more than 91% to meet worldwide demand for switchgear and controls it produces for customers in the power generation sector. In addition, the $2.5 million Enercon has invested in equipment and productivity enhancements have enabled it to enter new markets and stay competitive in the face of intense pricing pressure.
In one high profile example of Enercon’s flexibility, the company helped meet Japan’s need for power in the wake of the devastating tsunami and nuclear shutdown. On seven weeks, notice, Enercon provided 48 megawatts to the country, beating the delivery time of an overseas competitor.
“The state of the art capabilities and equipment at Enercon are examples of why no one can out produce the U.S.,” said Sen. Dave Koehler, who attended the bi-partisan briefing along with several legislative colleagues. “A focus on quality and responsiveness to the customer has enabled us to re-capture some of manufacturing investments that may have been lost before.”
Over the years, Enercon has utilized IMEC for assistance in a number of areas, most recently engaging IMEC specialists to standardize operating methods and provide workers with new tools to increase output and resolve problems. IMEC works with small and mid-sized manufacturers throughout Illinois to make improvements in their productivity, quality, safety, and other operational areas.
“IMEC has domain-specific expertise in areas where we may not have the in-house resources,” said Larry Tangel, CEO of Enercon Engineering. “They recently helped increase the knowledge and capability of our supervisors so they’re more effective in leading their people.” That project was partially paid for by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)’s Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP).
“Working with IMEC and DCEO enables us to make the improvements more quickly and affordably,” said Tangel.
“I was excited and impressed with what I saw at Enercon,” said Rep. Jehan Gordon. “The products they are making are important to community and our country. At the same time, they are providing good, living wage jobs for the people that live here.”
“We are blessed in this area with so many great manufacturing companies that are making products for customers all across the world,” said Rep. Michael Unes. “We need to create an environment in Illinois that will grow manufacturing jobs and make it attractive for manufacturers like Enercon to expand here.”
Along with Unes, Gordon, and Koehler, Senator State Senator Darin LaHood and Representative Dave Leitch participated in the briefing, which was organized by IMEC to underscore the importance of manufacturing to the state’s economic health.
“Enercon Engineering is an innovative company with very progressive leadership,” said Tucker Kennedy, Vice President of Marketing for IMEC. “Just being able to show our elected leaders what Enercon has accomplished will help dispel any myths that manufacturing is dead or that it is not possible to be competitive here.”
