...Center helps manufacturers increase sales and boost productivity.
Despite lingering challenges from the economic recession and intense pressure to shave costs, manufacturers assisted by IMEC in 2012 reported significant increases in sales, productivity, and employment. Manufacturing clients surveyed by an independent third-party indicated that the assistance provided by IMEC was expected to help them achieve a total of $139 million in improvements, or an average of nearly $900,000 for each client project. Overall, IMEC services led to the creation or retention of about 1,398 high-wage manufacturing jobs.
“The manufacturing sector is leading the economic recovery in Illinois, and the companies we assisted last year showed remarkable resilience in making necessary changes in their operating and market strategies,” said David Boulay, IMEC President. “Progressive leaders are doing what it takes to be more innovative and responsive to their customer needs in order to compete and win.
In the last three years alone, manufacturers assisted by IMEC reported creating or retaining 6,309 jobs. This came during a period when many companies were laying off workers or shutting down operations altogether.
“The work we are doing is providing manufacturers with the financial cushion to re-invest in their workers,” continued Boulay, who cited the federal government’s continuing investment in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which provided funding to IMEC to keep services flowing to the state’s manufacturers.
If you are interested in learning more about how IMEC's expertise can assist your company, contact one of our industry specialists today.
About IMEC
IMEC is the only economic development organization in Illinois that receives federal funding to help small and mid-sized manufacturers to meet the challenges of succeeding in a global economy. Our team of specialists works with these companies to retain and grow jobs, update worker skills, increase productivity, and develop new products and services. Since 1996, IMEC has delivered in-depth assistance to more than 2,500 Illinois manufacturers, helping those companies realize more than $1.5 billion in third-party validated sales, cost savings, and capital improvements.
