If you’re looking to do business with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), it’s important to understand the two distinct bidding opportunities available: Purchasing and Contracts & Specifications Bureau. Each has its own processes, requirements, and focus areas, and neither intersects with the other. 1. Iowa DOT Purchasing The Iowa DOT Purchasing division manages bids … Continue reading Navigating Iowa DOT’s Bidding Opportunities: A Step-by-Step Guide
Month: September 2024
CIRAS Is a Quality Connection for Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer
Company History In 1988, Kooima Company started making replacement parts for agricultural equipment in a 1,200-square-foot rented building. At that time, their inventory included one part number. The company has since grown and now has 4,000 different part numbers. About five years ago, Kooima Ag split from Kooima Company. A leading agriculture knife maker, Kooima … Continue reading CIRAS Is a Quality Connection for Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer
Unlock Short-Term Engineering Expertise: How Iowa Companies Can Benefit from International Student Talent
Imagine hiring a trained engineer for a short-term project without long-term commitments. CIRAS connects Iowa companies with international engineering graduate students through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. “CPT and OPT offer Iowa companies the chance to hire degreed engineers for defined periods, without long-term commitments,” says Gary Mirka, director of … Continue reading Unlock Short-Term Engineering Expertise: How Iowa Companies Can Benefit from International Student Talent
Challenge to Innovation: Timberline Manufacturing Overcomes Workforce Shortages With Automation Support
Timberline Manufacturing faced a difficult challenge. The Marion-based electronics contract manufacturer, like many employers in today’s economy, struggled to find assembly-line employees for its wire harness department. As a solution, they began exploring ways to augment their current workforce putting together the harnesses, which organize and protect electrical wires. Wire harnesses are just one of … Continue reading Challenge to Innovation: Timberline Manufacturing Overcomes Workforce Shortages With Automation Support
Leadership, Change Speakers to Headline ILC Annual Conference in 2024
At the Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) Annual Conference in 2023, an exhibitor told Tracy Schuster, ILC program director, that they had never seen so much hugging at a conference. “People enjoy this conference because they connect with friends and meet like-minded people who understand the challenges they face in their work of improving people, processes, … Continue reading Leadership, Change Speakers to Headline ILC Annual Conference in 2024
Innovative Work Aids Reduce Physical Strain on Employees
A growing number of employees prioritize supportive work environments equipped with the right tools for safe performance. Category 5 of the Baldrige Excellence Framework® highlights this trend, revealing a shift in employee preferences that, combined with Iowa’s population demographics, presents both challenges and opportunities for companies. To attract and retain employees, especially those beyond the … Continue reading Innovative Work Aids Reduce Physical Strain on Employees
Elevating Quality and Supply Chain Resilience
As Puck Custom Enterprises, a Manning-based manufacturer of liquid transfer equipment, continues to grow, they need to ensure their business practices continue to meet their needs. Recently, this meant upgrading their quality systems and their approaches to managing their supply chain. “We are always striving to produce a higher quality product, and after being in … Continue reading Elevating Quality and Supply Chain Resilience
Online Assessment Supports Workforce Attraction and Retention
Iowa companies looking to meet the evolving needs and expectations of their current and future workforce now have a valuable tool offered by CIRAS. The Job Quality Assessment online self-assessment enables companies to identify their strengths and opportunities. Using the assessment results, companies can work with CIRAS advisors to develop effective workforce strategies that improve … Continue reading Online Assessment Supports Workforce Attraction and Retention
Revolutionizing Custom Quartz Designs with CIRAS Expertise
David and Aaron Bush wanted to take their custom quartz countertop designs to the next level, but as Aaron noted, “We didn’t even know what questions to ask to get started.” The father-son duo, along with founder Pat Malloy, own Quartz Impressions, an Iowa-based company that stands out as a leading source in the country … Continue reading Revolutionizing Custom Quartz Designs with CIRAS Expertise
APEX: Your First Call for Government Contracting Support
The general manager of an Iowa cleaning company was ready to throw in the towel on government work until someone suggested connecting with CIRAS. “I was passed from person to person and organization to organization until someone finally mentioned CIRAS,” said Brent Hugen of Absolute Cleaning Systems. “I decided I’d make one more call, and … Continue reading APEX: Your First Call for Government Contracting Support