With the merger of Illinois Performance Excellence and IMEC, the organizations welcome the addition of two new professionals to our staff.

IMEC is pleased to announce the addition of two new manufacturing specialists for the Metro East St. Louis region. As a Technical Specialist, Brad Rodgers will service Illinois manufacturers with his experience in lean and project management capabilities. Ryan Langdon, joining the team as a Regional Manager, will help ensure his background in continuous improvement implementation will sustain IMEC clients well into the future. Learn more...

What happens after you’ve focused and improved upon the bottom line? You’ve already made strides to optimize the efficiency of your supply chain and internal production, emphasizing continuous improvement and identifying wastes; but now you need the revenue. What comes next? A new video from the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) looks to share how Top Line improvements can drive growth and provide long term success.

Welcome the newest members of the IMEC team, Lisa Kenney and Doug Moehle

Doug Moehle comes to IMEC with more than 28 years of experience in Operations Management and Quality Assurance, primarily from the metal stamping industry. With extensive experience in all facets of operations and quality including the implementation of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance systems, Doug is proficient at converting customer needs and business objectives into operational strategies. Specific skills and expertise include operations leadership, six sigma, lean product development, TPM, planning and scheduling, capacity modeling, budgeting and cost control, and safety improvements.

Excerpt from The Hitachi Foundation blog. The Hitachi Foundation is partnering with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), and several local funders through the Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance to launch a new initiative aimed at growing the number of high-quality manufacturing jobs in the Chicago region. 

From Scrap Metal to Precious Metal: Chicago's SIPI Metals Creates Great Products and Great Jobs

Chicago has been at the epicenter of American manufacturing throughout the 20th century. Today 3,700 firms account for more than 100,000 jobs and over $30 billion in annual sales. Despite its endurance, the Chicagoland manufacturing sector faces challenges - securing a skilled workforce, adapting to new technologies, and bringing innovative products to market. To strengthen its position for the future, the region will need to build on lessons from what works among exemplary firms like SIPI Metals Corporation.

Global competition, OEM pricing, delivery and quality demands, and other threats to a profitable market position require more strategic marketing plans that focus on the right products and services reaching the right customers in the right way at the right time. Without planning, success can be a result of luck.

Companies need to have a balanced distribution of profitable customers, products and sales methods focused on value to the customer, and a position in the marketplace that supports their strategic plan.