Bellman- Melcor is a 50 year old family owned business headquartered in Tinley Park, IL. Bellman-Melcor manufacturers brazing and soldering preforms and distributes bulk brazing and soldering materials in silver bearing, non-silver, and specialty metals.

The Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC) announced seventeen manufacturing specialists recently completed the comprehensive Galliard Group Family Business Advisor Level One training program in Bloomington, Illinois. Completion of the certification equips the IMEC team members with comprehensive tools to assist family-owned and closely-held businesses.

Lake Land College in Mattoon will open its doors to the public to showcase the nationally recognized Manufacturing Skills Lab for Manufacturing Day on October 5th. The innovative lab delivers hands-on technical training to maintenance and machine operators and has the ability to be customized to meet the needs of technicians from apprentice-level to the most experienced senior technician. Using components identical to those found in modern manufacturing equipment, system functions are recreated in a lab environment where participants learn practical setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting manufacturing skills.

NIST-MEP has released a new infographic that uses data visualization to tell the story of manufacturing perceptions vs. reality. It’s a powerful image of the economic and innovation success of “Manufacturing in America” that more people should be aware of.

“Manufacturing in America is central to our economic strength and a driver of innovation. Manufacturing jobs are some of the best in the country, yet the public doesn’t perceive them to be. And there aren’t enough skilled workers to fill them. But together we can help tell the real story…”

This and other new infographics are being shared at a time when our nation is really beginning to focus on the importance of industry to our nation’s economy, and will hopefully boost the real perception that manufacturing is alive and thriving!

Make sure you check out the new “Manufacturing in America” infographic on www.nist.gov/mep/mfg-america.cfm!

Manufacturing leaders from the greater Chicago area, in addition to Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick Gallagher, IMEC President David Boulay, and representatives from the City of Chicago and state commerce department gathered for a duo of manufacturing-focused events last week.

The group first met at PortionPac Corporation in Chicago for discussion and a tour of the sustainable company that manufactures pre-measured packs of highly concentrated cleaning products for use in a variety of industries, including school districts and correctional facilities.  “The last decade for manufacturing has been about diversification and the ability to develop a focus in niche markets in order to continue growing,” said Burt Klein, President for PortionPac. During the visit, Klein also spoke to the city’s investment in the manufacturing sector and how building a strong workforce, transportation can lead to a strengthened climate.

Through a city initiative, Chicago Sustainable Industries, there has been an increased awareness about manufacturing and its importance to the strength of the community. “Manufacturing jobs play an anchoring role in a community,” Director Gallagher stated. “It’s great to see the combined efforts of the public and private sectors working together to strengthen that role.”

Following the facility tour and discussion, the group met at the Transco Products downtown headquarters, where they engaged in discussion around the direction of future trends in technology, workforce and the need to campaign for a brighter image of the industry. “If manufacturing has a bad image, it affects the desire of youth and adults alike to educate themselves and pursue a career in industry,” said Gallagher.  Talk continued around the need to promote manufacturing nationally, regionally and locally, including initiatives manufacturers can take to reach out in their communities.

MEPs around the country are helping to keep manufacturers successful.

IMEC’s parent organization, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is helping American manufacturers innovate, increase productivity, and create new jobs. Hear from those manufacturers on what the MEP program means for them and the industry.

Event will connect potential suppliers with passenger rail carbuilders and locomotive manufacturers

Connecting interested and capable prospective suppliers with the builders of Next Generation rail equipment is the focus of a complimentary event on February 14^th at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare.   The “Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Connectivity Forum” will bring together executives from several leading rail equipment manufacturers with the leaders of small and mid-sized firms interested in expanding into the growing rail equipment supply  sector.

Three good reasons why smaller manufacturers should innovate (and IMEC should help them).

Before I share my three reasons let’s define innovation and give a couple statistics from the Next Generation Manufacturing Study.  Here’s the study’s definition of innovation:  Develop, make, and market new products and services that meet customers’ needs at a pace faster than the competition.   According to the 2011 study, 57% of small to mid-sized manufacturers rated the importance of innovation as highly important for their success over the next five years.  Of those same manufacturers, only 12% felt they were world-class (where they needed to be) when it comes to innovation. Clearly, manufacturers know they need to innovate, but many of them seem unsure of the best way to do it.

Carrie Hines, Executive Director of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC), recently appeared on C-Span to discuss the results of the Next Generation Manufacturing Study and the actions small manufacturers should take to remain competitive both domestically and globally.

Overall, the message is positive. According to the NGM study recently released by ASMC, small manufacturers continue to face challenges with the pending retirement of baby boomer leadership, and shortages of qualified employees .