Content was generated for: the Iowa Association of Business and Industry | Manufacturing packs punch in Iowa’s economy In 2020, the pandemic’s strain on supply chains served as a wake-up call to Americans, highlighting our dependence on imported products and an intricate web of global logistics. Public support for manufacturing noticeably shifted. Businesses across the country also … Continue reading Q and A: Is “Made in America” back?
Year: 2023
Are You Ready to Learn and Improve? Register Today for the ILC Annual Conference
Are you eager to find inspiration and keen to explore techniques to drive continuous improvement and growth for you and your company? If so, we invite you to secure your spot for the 2023 Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) Annual Conference on October 26 at the Meadows Conference Center in Altoona. This event will unite hundreds … Continue reading Are You Ready to Learn and Improve? Register Today for the ILC Annual Conference
CIRAS Staff News: Meet Ben Drescher
Ben Drescher has joined CIRAS as a Food and Feed Quality and Safety project manager. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University and a Master of Sciences in Agricultural Science from Murry State University. Before joining CIRAS, Ben spent nine years as the Animal Science Farms Director at Iowa … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Ben Drescher
2023 Annual MFG Day
On October 6, 2023, and throughout the month, manufacturers, community colleges, and universities will warmly welcome young talents to explore diverse and promising careers in manufacturing to celebrate Manufacturing Day (MFG). While the challenges in the supply chain are gradually improving, the workforce in the industry remains a significant concern. MFG Day is not just … Continue reading 2023 Annual MFG Day
Becoming Even More Competitive
Kirkland “Bubba” Davidson credits DBE certification with helping him better compete for subcontracting work. Kirkland “Bubba” Davidson, owner of the Des Moines-based Dirty 30 Trucking & Excavating, built his company from the ground up, relying mostly on his own skills and research. He was successful in securing independent contracts as well as subcontracting jobs, both … Continue reading Becoming Even More Competitive
Did You Know: Training Offered for the New Regulatory Adjustments on the Davis-Bacon Regulations Act
The Department of Labor’s recently published final rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations – the first comprehensive Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) regulatory review – in nearly 40 years. Originating in 1931, the DBRA mandates that laborers and mechanics receive prevailing wages and fringe benefits when engaged in federally funded contracts exceeding $2,000. … Continue reading Did You Know: Training Offered for the New Regulatory Adjustments on the Davis-Bacon Regulations Act
Networking Helps Cedar Ridge Solve Equipment Needs
Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery had a problem: its packaging equipment was inefficient, took up too much space, and required too many people to operate. Replacing the outdated machinery would cost more than $150,000. Murphy Quint, head distiller and chief of operations at Cedar Ridge, knew the Iowa Economic Development Authority had a program to … Continue reading Networking Helps Cedar Ridge Solve Equipment Needs
SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program
Are you a small business that needs some practical guidance in the government contracting space, from a company that’s experienced in the Federal market? If so, and you know a large Prime contractor that could be a good partner, then the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé (MPP) program might be perfect for you! First of all, why would … Continue reading SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program
Investing in Iowa’s Supply Chain Resilience: CIRAS Receives Funding to Expand Supply Chain Services
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, has recently granted approximately $400,000 to each of its MEP National Network™ (MEPNN) Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico. CIRAS, Iowa’s MEP center, was awarded the funding to help build … Continue reading Investing in Iowa’s Supply Chain Resilience: CIRAS Receives Funding to Expand Supply Chain Services
Q&A with Strategic Advisor, Derek Thompson
Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. A: As a member of the Strategic Advisor team, we are the sales force of CIRAS. We are calling on and developing relationships with the leaders at our Iowa manufacturing companies so that we can … Continue reading Q&A with Strategic Advisor, Derek Thompson