Happy Friday. Today we have news of layoffs, higher consumer confidence, expanding demographics and the importance of beer. The details:
Month: June 2015
CIRAS DIGEST: Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Happy Tuesday. Today we have the usual mix of optimistic and pessimistic industry news, as well as a story on marijuana candy. So think mellow thoughts as you read this:
CIRAS DIGEST: Friday, June 19, 2015
Happy Friday. We’re posting late this afternoon due to a morning spent listing to Iowa economic development officials decide whether they were going to give us some money. (Spoiler alert: They did.) Details on that and a few other things follow:
NEWS: CIRAS Approved to Purchase Metal 3-D Printer for Iowa Businesses
DES MOINES – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) agreed this morning to contribute $100,000 toward the purchase of a metal 3-D printer that will be used to help CIRAS educate businesses across Iowa on the latest capabilities of additive manufacturing, to help train the next generation of workers in this poised-to-explode technology and to support new faculty research. The IEDA contribution joins other federal and Iowa State University funding that will be used to purchase a direct metal sintering system, part of a $900,000 investment in this technology. The machine, which now will be ordered from its manufacturer, is expected to be up and running in an Iowa State University lab within months for the benefit of Iowa businesses.
CIRAS Supports Iowa Lean Consortium’s Continuing Growth
Six years ago, the Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) was just a group of volunteers with a passion for Lean and a desire to bring its practitioners together from across the Iowa economy. Today, the organization has 76 member companies and 63 individual members and routinely hosts events with capacity crowds—sometimes with a waiting list to get a seat. Members come from manufacturing, health care, insurance, finance, government, and education to learn from one another.
CIRAS DIGEST: Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Happy Tuesday. Today, the Internet offers a slew of manufacturing data and talk of sensors, the Internet of Things and the like. Little of it is worthwhile, however. Here’s what we culled from the pile:
CIRAS DIGEST: Friday, June 12, 2015
Happy Friday. Not much to offer today in the wake of earth-shattering news, but at least it’s mostly Iowa-centric. Here’s where to look:
With CIRAS’ Help, Air Control Seeks to Breathe New Life into Government Sales
By all accounts, it was a successful first date. Mary Connell, president of Clinton-based Air Control/ACI Fabricators, attended an annual Midwest NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association) conference because CIRAS asked her to in its capacity as the company’s “matchmaker.” And she found a new business opportunity.
GOV TALK: How the Government Saves a Place for Small Businesses
Small businesses are expected to always have a place in government contracting. United States policy, per the Small Business Act and other subsequent legislation, says the maximum practical opportunity must be provided to all small business categories. The president annually establishes government-wide goals declaring the minimum percentage of prime contracts that should go to businesses in the following categories:
CIRAS DIGEST: Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Happy Tuesday. We’re heavy on opinion pieces today, with people across the country opining on what is good bad or doomed about the American manufacturing sector. Read it. Enjoy the argument – along with a little bit of news sprinkled throughout this list. Here’s where you find it: