Whitepapers, Reports & Executive Briefs
Fix Your Data First: The Hidden Barrier to AI in Manufacturing
Your ERP isn’t broken, your data is. Duplicate part numbers, outdated lead times, and inventory errors are quietly draining profits. Learn how to clean up the 20% of data causing 80% of the headaches; so you can cut waste, speed delivery, and prepare for AI.
Blogs
The Importance of Properly Trained Hiring Managers and Supervisors in Manufacturing: Mastering the Interview
Proper interview training for hiring managers and supervisors is essential to building a skilled, diverse, and high-performing manufacturing workforce by improving hiring accuracy, reducing bias, and lowering turnover.
Webinar Recordings
MANUFACTURING EXPORT READINESS: Getting Your Products to Global Markets
In this practical and informative webinar, we’ll help you assess your company’s export readiness and walk you through the key steps to launching successfully in global markets.
Blogs
AI-Powered Quality Control: How to Catch Defects Before Your Customers Do
Learn how manufacturers can use AI quality control systems, like computer vision and dimensional checks. Start small, see big results with practical pilot projects.
Blogs
From Downtime to Uptime: Using AI for Predictive Maintenance in Manufacturing
AI-powered predictive maintenance helps manufacturers reduce their unplanned downtime. Learn more about implementation for small and mid-sized manufacturers.
Blogs
The Future of Manufacturing: Holding on to Heart in an AI-Driven World
As AI reshapes manufacturing, the companies that will lead are those that embrace innovation without losing sight of their greatest asset, the people and values that drive meaningful progress.
Whitepapers, Reports & Executive Briefs
Driving the Manufacturing Renaissance
Discover how Illinois can lead the next manufacturing era: insights, strategies, and opportunities await.
Webinar Recordings
INNOVATE WITH PURPOSE: Balancing Innovation and Human Connection in Manufacturing
In this webinar, Joanne Ruiz will explore how manufacturers can integrate cutting-edge technology without sacrificing the human elements that are essential to growth and innovation.
Webinar Recordings
GROW TO LEAD: Building Stronger Leaders to Drive Results
A session designed to give you a high-level overview of our Leadership Development Series and how it will impact your organization.
Success Stories
Meyer Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
Fueled by lean principles and daily commitment to improvement, Meyer Tool is building on small wins to achieve record-breaking results, and cultivating a culture where every employee’s voice drives long-term success.
Success Stories
Header Die and Tool, Inc.
With a long-standing commitment to Lean Manufacturing and a decades-long partnership with IMEC, Header Die and Tool continues to transform its workforce and operations through hands-on simulation training. By reintroducing Lean tools and skills to its team, the company fostered shared learning, reduced costs, and laid the foundation for continuous improvement.
Webinar Recordings
AI AT WORK: Transforming the Factory Floor with Smarter AI
This session delivers practical insights and live demonstrations designed to help manufacturing leaders modernize their operations and prepare for the next wave of innovation.
Blogs
The Power of Your Data: Simple AI Dashboards for Smarter Decisions
As AI in manufacturing becomes common, there are many tools for better insight into factories or warehouses. Learn more about digital dashboards and what they do for manufacturers.
News
Budzinski wants to protect manufacturing extension partnership amid proposed federal cuts
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski led a roundtable at Wagner Machine Company in Champaign to champion the critical role of the MEP program, administered in Illinois by IMEC, and to voice strong opposition to proposed federal funding cuts that threaten small manufacturers’ growth and resilience.
Blogs
Work Standards, Standard Work, and Standardized Work: Breaking Down the Confusion
Confused by the terms Work Standards, Standard Work, and Standardized Work? You’re not alone—this article breaks down the subtle differences and shared purpose behind these often-interchanged concepts to bring clarity and alignment to your continuous improvement efforts.
Whitepapers, Reports & Executive Briefs
AI on the Shop Floor
Artificial Intelligence is no longer the domain of tech giants, small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across Illinois are already using AI to solve real challenges on the shop floor. From predictive maintenance to defect detection and digital twins, AI offers accessible, practical tools that increase productivity, reduce downtime, and free up skilled workers for higher-value tasks.
Discover Reliable Suppliers and Strengthen Your Supply Chain
Our cutting-edge supply chain center is designed to connect Illinois manufacturers with suppliers across the United States. Tailored specifically to support the Buy America Initiative, this initiative fosters local sourcing and empowers manufacturers to access a diverse network of reliable suppliers.
Career Pathways in Manufacturing
We created Career Pathways in Manufacturing to strengthen workforce and economic competitiveness, securing a resilient economy for the future.