Q & A with Kira Kistner Role: Manufacturing Research Strategist, External Services Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. In my role as a Manufacturing Research Strategist, I am responsible for connecting Iowa State University researchers and Iowa industry representatives in the … Continue reading Q & A with Kira Kistner
A university might not be the first place a manufacturer would turn to for rapid parts testing, but that’s exactly what happened when Putco, a vehicle product accessory manufacturer in Des Moines, needed to evaluate the porosity of an aluminum vehicle part in a matter of days to secure a large contract. “CIRAS works at … Continue reading Working at the Speed of the Customer Drove Putco’s Million-dollar Deal
Elevate your Lean learning and development—be part of the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour 2024! Join us in Lexington, Kentucky, May 14–16, 2024, for an immersive Lean leadership experience. What to Expect: Lean Workshops: These are led by Mike Hoseus, author of “Toyota Culture,” offering 16+ hours of transformative sessions. Learning Tours: Explore industry leaders like … Continue reading Kentucky Lean Tour
More than ever, Iowa manufacturing is turning to technology to stay globally competitive. However, with limited time and resources, finding the right technology is a challenge. CIRAS, recognizing that challenge, partnered with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to drive technology implementation in small manufacturers. Eligible companies could apply for up to $75,000 in IEDA … Continue reading CIRAS and Manufacturing 4.0 Grants Help Iowa Manufacturers Adopt New Technology and Grow
Founded in 1974, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders is a renowned American organ builder known for crafting high-quality pipe organs headquartered in Lake City, Iowa. They have organs in 29 states and the District of Columbia, England, and Australia. A few days after a June 2021 fire destroyed the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders workshop, Deana Hoeg-Ryan … Continue reading CIRAS Support When You Need It Most
Star Equipment, a Des Moines-based company that sells, rents, and services construction equipment, parts, and supplies, experienced significant government work growth thanks to CIRAS. They finetuned their BidMatch profile, which the company uses to find and compete for jobs. “We’re getting a better look at what municipal and government agencies require and how we might … Continue reading The Power of a Refined BidMatch Profile
Investing in new technology can be risky. The financial outlay can be high, and confidence that the technology will deliver an adequate return on investment can be low. Similar to numerous manufacturers, Dickson Industries, a Des Moines-based company specializing in custom food packaging and textiles, had the potential to increase its sales. However, like other … Continue reading Dickson Turns to CIRAS for Automation Support
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a widely available method to translate once mundane and tedious tasks into efficient automated processes with assistance from computer systems in place of human labor. Due to the availability of technologies like ChatGPT, access to the benefits of AI is more prevalent now than ever before. But it is … Continue reading Navigating Artificial Intelligence Opportunities
David Blake, whose company Blue-9 Pet Products makes dog training and behavior products, needed a rubber mat. The specially designed mat is used on the KLIMB®, a platform used to train hunting/sport dogs. Blake’s mat maker was going out of business, leaving Blue-9 in need of a new vendor. He found one in South Dakota … Continue reading Making Vital Supply Connections
The term ‘culture’ is used in different ways with many different interpretations. When it comes to a business and its workforce though, I prefer describing culture as the personality of a business. Just like people, those personalities have benefits and drawbacks. Energetic businesses are busy coming up with new innovative ideas, they are social, adventurous … Continue reading Elevating Business Success through Cultural Transformation