Associations

The assistance provided by many affiliated associations complement IMEC’s core work in process optimization, quality improvement, and technology integration. The services these organizations provide range from Human Resource Development and Group Healthcare programs, to strategic sourcing and political advocacy.

- Employer’s Association
- Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International
- Illinois Manufacturers’ Association
- Illinois State Chamber of Commerce
- National Association of Manufacturers
- Society of Plastics Industries
- Tooling and Manufacturing Association
- Vistage International

Economic Development Organizations

IMEC works in partnership with local, regional and statewide economic development organizations throughout Illinois. If a manufacturer is considering a plant expansion, or is facing an operating challenge affecting productivity and performance, economic development leaders often draw on IMEC’s resources as part of the project teams. Likewise, when IMEC works with a manufacturer in need of financial packaging, site selection, or deal construction, IMEC calls on the local development organization for assistance. It’s a win-win proposition for the manufacturing community.

- Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council
- Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
- DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
- Galesburg Regional Economic Development Authority
- Growth Association of Southwestern Illinois
- Growth Dimensions of Belvidere/Boone County
- Morton Economic Development Council
- Peoria Area Economic Development Council
- Quad City Development Group
- Rockford Area Economic Development Council
- Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
- SIU Carbondale Office of Economic and Regional Development
- St. Clair County Economic Development Department
- Vermillion Advantage – Danville Economic Development
- Western Illinois Economic Development Partnership

Education Organization Links

IMEC works with many of Illinois’ higher education institutions to help improve manufacturing productivity and competitiveness. Many IMEC staff are located on university campuses that are IMEC’s subrecipient organizations. The following are links to IMEC’s subrecipient higher education partners:

- Bradley University
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign

Additional information regarding resources and programs available through Illinois’ universities and community colleges can be obtained using the following links:

- Illinois Board of Higher Education
- Illinois Community College Board

Helpful Manufacturing Links

- Argonne National Library
- American Small Manufacturers Coalition
- Apics
- Illinois Technology Development Alliance
- Lean Enterprise Institute
- Manufacturing News
– Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
- The Manufacturer
- Thomas Net
- Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

IndustryWeek Articles

IMEC is providing its customers, partners, and public policy advocates enhanced information about key global manufacturing issues through a content partnership with IndustryWeek (IW), a national magazine exclusively dedicated to business issues, strategies, trends and technologies to help senior manufacturing executives succeed in today’s “better, faster, cheaper” global economy. Under the agreement, columns and articles from IW’s award-winning magazine and Web site IndustryWeek.com are distributed to the Illinois manufacturing community through IMEC’s monthly Solutions Source e-newsletter and Web site.

“While IMEC has become a leading provider of solutions to improve manufacturing competitiveness, our clients also rely on us to help keep them current on general manufacturing trends, business strategies, and emerging technologies,” said Tucker Kennedy, VP – Marketing Communication for IMEC. “The partnership with a venerable brand like IndustryWeek will enable us to offer our clients and service partners critical information they need to manage their companies more productively and profitably.”

In addition to deploying content through IMEC news vehicles, the agreement also paves the way for other national manufacturing extension partnership (MEP) centers to provide IW content to their customers and audiences. MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers in nearly 350 locations nationwide. The centers are partially funded by federal and state governments, making it possible for firms to tap into the expertise of knowledgeable manufacturing and business specialists who have had experience on manufacturing floors and in plant operations.

About IndustryWeek

The business of manufacturing is more complex and more global today than ever before. It goes well beyond managing the plant or production facility. It involves managing every step of the business itself, from research and development to production, distribution, and customer service.

Leading a manufacturing company involves marrying the often times conflicting needs of customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders. IndustryWeek is written to help manufacturing’s leaders do it better. IndustryWeek connects decision-makers within manufacturing enterprises to share ideas and tools that inspire action. Its award-winning presentation of trends, news, analysis, research and peer-to-peer conversation motivates manufacturing leaders to achieve their goals. In print, online, and in person, the IndustryWeek community is the leading resource for manufacturing operations knowledge.

Funding Sources

IMEC draws on the resources and capabilities of a nationwide network of manufacturing service providers. Alliances with state and national economic development programs, higher education institutions, speciality service providers, and the private sector ensure that IMEC is able to address critical manufacturing needs. And, as part of a national system, IMEC is able to leverage the expertise of a field network of 2,000 manufacturing advisors from 59 MEP centers.

Approximately 60% of IMEC revenue comes from fees for services to clients. In addition, IMEC receives grants and contracts from the state and federal agencies listed below.

- National Institute of Standards and Technology – Manufacturing Extension Partnership
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Bradley University
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Student Project Assistance

Graduate Student Assistance:

Engineer in Residence – This program provides industrial participants access to academic resoures to assist them with their competitive needs in a broad range of industrial applications. Additionally, this program provides value-added practical connections between the academic setting and the industrial setting to equip the future workforce with manufacturing-ready professional capabilities.

Undergraduate Capstone Projects:

These projects provide both a theoretical and practical environment for industry to assess, design, and test applications to improve their overall competitiveness in product design, layout, flow, quality, continuous improvement, and business. While providing the industrial participant with value, the projects provide a meaningful academic interface for the students along with the practical realities of industry.

Student Internship Opportunities:

Internships offer companies the opportunity to address project needs with capable academic resources. Internships can be leveraged to advance company needs by leveraging student initiative, knowledge and skills. These programs can be measured for impact and often can lead to the development of future hires for the participating company.

Additional Resources:

Project Examples – Available upon request. Projects may include design, layout, flow, continuous improvement, quality, marketing, business, export, safety, etc.