Are you looking for new opportunities in Energy Efficiency?  ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas are joining forces to provide community members with updates and information about energy and innovation. Learn more by visiting www.nicorgasrebates.com/expo

The 2015 Energy Efficiency Expo will be held September 16 from 7a.m. – 4p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.  The event is designed to pull together decision makers who are looking to maximize their organizations’ energy efficiency, while earning continuing education units and offering peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

Contributed by Project Equity, an IMEC partner

Like many business owners nearing retirement age, when it came time for Select Machine owners Doug Beavers and Bill Sagaser to think about stepping away from the company, they investigated a range of options. They ultimately decided that selling their business to their employees was the option that best met their retirement goals of keeping their company healthy and profitable, and keeping their trusted employees in their jobs.

Select Machine, founded in 1994, manufactures and sells custom parts for demolition and construction equipment. When founders Beavers and Sagaser decided that the time had come to retire, they were confronted with a difficult choice. Their children weren’t interested in taking over the company, and prospective buyers planned to dismantle the company and lay off its workers, preserving only the company’s client list. Sagasar said of their employees, “These are our guys, our family, and we wanted them to keep on working.”

Written by Lori Amerman, IMEC Operations Specialist  and OSHA authorized trainer

There is one thing for sure about Illinois weather, it is always changing. We have made it through the snow and ice hazards and are now in the Midwest tornado season. In order to keep your organization safe from weather threats, here are a few reminders in preparedness:

April 1st is no joke for Walmart Suppliers - IMEC's North Carolina partner MEP (NC State Industrial Extension Service) has recently been busy helping Walmart suppliers tackle the ever growing/changing world of Walmart Sustainability. So, what Walmart suppliers are in your area? Do they understand sustainability? Do they understand your Centers ability to help them both answer and improve their Walmart Sustainability Scorecard?

Beginning in 2009, Walmart has increasingly engaged their supply chain in sustainability goals and initiatives. See an overview of Walmart's supplier sustainability requirements and process here.

Written by Anthony Manos, Lean Champion with 5S Supply

The Very Best of 5S

Want to know how your organization stacks up?

This in-depth benchmarking report looks at techniques, practices and principles for 5S Workplace Organization and Standardization. It sheds light on how organizations have successfully created a 5S system and the obstacles and solutions they used to overcome them. 

As you plan strategies for launching or revitalizing your lean implementation, don’t forget to include maintenance in the mix.

“Maintenance is a key contributor to a continuous improvement or lean initiative,” said John Kravontka, president of Fuss & O’Neill Manufacturing Solutions. “Many times, they are the last function to receive lean overview training, and they do not fully understand what is happening in their facility. This can lead to confusion and negative thoughts, taking away from the initiative’s progress. Good lean overview training per all personnel, including maintenance, can support a smoother transition.”

Looking to improve operational performance?
IMEC partners with the International Society of Automation for new resources.

As an official partner of IMEC, the International Society of Automation is committed to helping Illinois' small- and mid-sized manufacturing companies boost revenue, reduce costs, and improve overall operating performance. ISA develops industry-proven automation standards, training, educational resources, and certification programs that produce more capable and competent workforce; safer and more secure and reliable operating environments; and more efficient and profitable results.

IMEC is happy to announce United Group, Inc. has successfully implemented a quality management system and become certified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard.  Achieving ISO 9001:2008 registration is an important milestone for United Group as it illustrates a strong commitment to quality at all levels of the organization including the commitment to their customers, and truly, all stakeholders. It is an on-going effort that demonstrates the dedication of all members of the team.

There are new reporting requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).  (https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/index.html)

Under the OSHA Recordkeeping regulation (29 CFR 1904), Illinois manufacturers with 10 employees are required to prepare and maintain records of occupational injuries and illnesses, using the OSHA 300 Log. This information is important for employers, workers and OSHA in evaluating the safety trends of a workplace, understanding industry hazards, and implementing worker protections to eliminate or reduce hazards.

All employers must report:

1. All work-related fatalities within 8 hours
2. All work-related inpatient hospitalizations, all amputations and all losses of an eye within 24 hours

Report to OSHA by:

1. Calling OSHA’s free and confidential number at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
2. Calling your closest Area Office during normal business hours
3. Using an online form that will soon be available

It is also a good time to review emphasis programs and compare to your facility's current state.

IMEC is happy to announce Share Machine Inc. has successfully implemented a quality management system registration to ISO 9001:2008.  Achieving ISO 9001:2008 registration is an important milestone for Share Machine as the certification illustrates a strong commitment to quality at all levels of the organization and a commitment to quality to all customers.

Accomplishing the ISO 9001:2008 registration also clearly demonstrates Share Machine’s company-wide commitment to providing their partners with a quality product and service. This commitment is reflected by all members of the team.