Multiple times each day, the skilled workers at Miracle Tools America in Davenport must stop what they’re doing and clean. Making drill bits can be a dirty business, and the tiny water channels that keep tools from overheating have a tendency to clog. Hence, the company decided to begin experimenting with a new type of employee—one that wouldn’t mind the monotony. One made out of metal.
Author: Jeff Eckhoff
Communications Manager at CIRAS, Iowa State University
Donald named Outstanding New Professional
CIRAS project manager Joy Donald will be honored with the Iowa State University Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award at a campus ceremony on September 23.
Your Company Needs to Forge a Foul Weather Plan
April showers appear poised to linger in Iowa for a bit longer.
What Our Peers Think: Cybersecurity
Every day we hear another story about a hack. Terms like ransomware, two-factor authentication, data breach, botnets sound like they are from a science fiction movie, not the shop floor. Small- to mid-sized manufacturers are among the most frequent targets of hackers, driven in part by the perceived ease of beating your systems.The solution to cybersecurity risks is a complex mix of IT solutions, processes, and new cultural norms. Where do you start?
Lean Coffees – Conversations for Learning and Creativity
Spring is a time of new beginnings – both for you and for your business. Are you looking for new ideas or a new way to get excited about continuously improving your company? Would you like to take part in regular conversations and share ideas with others about the benefits of Lean?
MarketWise Group Provides a Place to Share Ideas, Answers
Once every other month for five years, Donna Bruesewitz has taken a day away from her office and driven somewhere to learn from others who do what she does.
Balanced Scorecard Helps Schumacher Company Soar
Getting a radically revamped business on the right long-term path generally equires fresh insight and some concentrated planning.
Cobot Unboxed
Here's an update on the current state of the Digital Manufacturing Lab Powered by Alliant Energy.
Did you know? … About NAICS
The North American Industry Classification System, or NAICS (pronounced "Nakes"), was developed under the direction and guidance of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It’s the standard way that federal statistical agencies classify business establishments for the collection, tabulation, presentation, and analysis of statistical data describing the U.S. economy.
CIRAS PTAC Team Praised by Peers for Making a Difference
CIRAS government contracting specialists have earned praised from their peers for having a tremendous impact both on the Iowa economy and on the communities where they live.