The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) is led by a team of individuals dedicated to the growth and competitiveness of Illinois manufacturing. The IMEC Board of Directors is an essential group of local manufacturers and partners who guide our organization to achieving its best results for Illinois manufacturers. One of our newest Board Directors is Peoria-native Robert Herrmann, CEO of Rheo Engineering. In a recent conversation, Herrmann shared his journey into manufacturing, the evolution of Rheo Engineering, and why he’s passionate about the industry.
Passion for Manufacturing
For Herrmann, the most rewarding aspect of his work is the impact it has on people’s lives. “Being in the life sciences industry, I see the amazing way science is able to overcome the hardships in life,” he shared. Rheo Engineering, a high-precision manufacturer for the pharmaceutical industry, has contributed to projects involving IV solutions and even the COVID-19 vaccine. “Just knowing that we’re part of that space and if anybody ever gets sick or has a sick kid, we’re very grateful that we can go to the pharmaceutical industry and get a therapy for it.”
Beyond the life sciences, Herrmann enjoys the tangible nature of manufacturing. “I love engineering and solving problems, but producing things is pretty fulfilling,” he said. “Actually seeing what we design get built,” Herrmann explained. “I always felt you have to be making something to be really productive, not just sending paper out.”
Manufacturing in Illinois
Rheo Engineering’s roots in Illinois were a personal decision for Herrmann, who moved the company from Michigan to Peoria to be near family. However, he acknowledges the advantages of the location. “Bradley University has a good technical program for engineering. More than half of our engineers are Bradley graduates,” he explained. “Caterpillar has created a good, industrial ecosystem.”
Herrmann’s involvement with IMEC stems from firsthand experience. “Rheo has really benefited from our partnership with IMEC,” he said. IMEC has assisted Rheo with everything from ISO 9001 implementation to leadership development. “Not every small manufacturer can afford the brainpower they need to do well,” and that is where IMEC was able to assist.
Herrmann’s entry into manufacturing even began locally, after receiving his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University. “I got into the business as a designer, and as I took on more responsibilities, I became responsible for production,” he explained. In its early years, Rheo Engineering outsourced its manufacturing, but in 2012, Herrmann made the pivotal decision to bring production in-house.
The transition was driven by the high precision required for pharmaceutical manufacturing. “Everything we do is extremely regulated and very precise,” Herrmann said. “To get the quality control and oversight we needed, we had to bring it in-house.”
Building a Specialized Workforce
When the company began manufacturing in-house, they realized manufacturing in Peoria presented great benefits, but also its own challenges, particularly in finding skilled labor for TIG welding—a critical component of Rheo’s fabrication process. While Herrmann acknowledged that Peoria is a great industrial hub to do business in, the city did not have an abundance of welders specialized for pharmaceutical welding, or clean welding.
Instead of searching for established experts, Herrmann took an unconventional approach. “I found somebody who was actually a trim carpenter but was interested in TIG welding,” he recalled. This individual was detail-oriented and the first welder hired by Rheo. Naturally, training needed to occur. Robert bought a TIG welding machine, powered on YouTube, learned the “millennial way,” as Robert explained, and got certified.
This was back when Rheo Engineering was 1/20th of its current size. Over time, Rheo refined its expertise and established formal training programs. “Now, we do in-house training and they have to meet the American Welding Society’s welding procedure specifications,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high industry standards and certifications. While not Rheo Engineering’s only skill, TIG welding remains their core specialization.
Competing on a Global Scale
Pharmaceutical manufacturing has traditionally been dominated by European companies, particularly in Germany and the UK. Rheo Engineering stands out as a U.S.-based alternative. “A big game changer for us is that we’re a U.S.-based, high-end pharmaceutical grade manufacturer,” Herrmann noted. By keeping fabrication in-house, Rheo also offers greater control over quality, design, and production timelines, making them highly competitive in the market.
With his dedication to innovation, high-quality manufacturing, and industry leadership, Robert Herrmann is set to make a significant impact—not just at Rheo Engineering, but in the broader Illinois manufacturing landscape as a member of the IMEC team.
