Creative Metals Manufacturing Company Located in Mt. Vernon, IL

Time saved is money made. InnoTech Manufacturing, LLC operates on this premise and designs products which ensure its customers the same benefits. InnoTech is a versatile, creative metals manufacturing company. With over 70 combined years in the construction industry, the principles of InnoTech have consistently made innovations which save time and resources for various construction trades.

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!

Companies in Illinois and across the country are continuing to face a shortage of workers that are properly educated and trained for the variety of manufacturing employment opportunities. Most manufacturers report a lack of skilled labor as critical challenge today.

Manufacturers use on-the-job training programs to re-focus their workforce on the desired manufacturing talents needed. A recent article in USA Today titled, “Training Cutbacks Thwart Jobless” discussed the fact that companies are cutting outside training programs for lack of funds, ultimately making the skills gap even worse. However, it is important to note that affordable training programs are still available.

Several new Buy America Opportunities are being issued by NIST-MEP for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. If you are a U.S. manufacturer currently making these or similar items, or have the capability to make these, and would like to pursue the opportunity, please contact IMEC.

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.

Changes to national, global food requirements could mean loss of business without compliance

Food processors, suppliers or packagers across the nation should be aware; operations could be greatly affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). These two separate initiatives represent the most radical change to the food supply chain in the last 80 years.  A company’s failure to meet the requirements of FSMA and GFSI have cost the company significant revenues, and in some much worse cases, even resulted in a shutdown of operations.

Over 90,000 food suppliers in the US will be affected by FSMA, so even the smallest companies throughout the supply chain will not be able to avoid the regulations. Acting under FSMA, the FDA has already shut down a number of plants under a “guilty until proven innocent” approach.

Replacement and Construction of Vinyl Windows and Patio Doors in Robinson, IL

Tempco Products Co. is constantly improving upon the quality of the windows and doors we manufacture.Through our network of dealers, you can order from a wide selection of high-quality windows and patio doors. Each order is custom-made to your specifications to an 1/16″. We also offer standard sizes.

Some of our top products include: Avenger Double Hung Value Gard, Single and Double Hung Custom Gard, Double Hung American Homestead, Single and Double Hung Designer, Classic Double Hung Avenger Casement, 434 Patio Door, GreatTrim Jamb Extension, Casing Diamond Series Storm Door, and Tempco Storm Windows.

Contact Tempco Products CO.:
301 E. Tempco AVE
Robinson, IL  62454
Phone: 618-544-3175
Fax: 618-544-2244
www.tempcoproducts.com

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Specialty Pump Manufacturer Achieves ISO Certification with“Flying Colors”

Looking to please a highly technical customer base keenly alert to quality issues, Plano-based MTH Pumps embarked on the ISO 9001:2008 certification journey with IMEC’s help—and found it an ideal way to improve processes, address longstanding issues and build customer confidence.